Equipment Operator, First Recipient of NMCB-74 Safe Seabee Award

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Michael Lindsey | Petty Officer 3rd Class Darnell Baker, an equipment operator assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74, Alpha Company, is presented the Safe Seabee of the Month Award by Cmdr. Bruce Nevel, NMCB-74's commanding officer. Baker is the battalion's first recipient of the award, since its inception in August 2009. NMCB-74 is deployed to Afghanistan supporting NATO's International Security Assistance Forces and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan.  

AFGHANISTAN

09.05.2009

Courtesy Story

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74

By Senior Chief Petty Officer Shawn Hollister

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan - August marked the start of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74's Safe Seabee of the Month program. The first recipient, Petty Officer 3rd Class Darnell Baker, an equipment operator, attached to Alfa Company, was both surprised and pleased when he was announced as the winner by Cmdr. Bruce Nevel, NMCB-74 commanding officer, at company quarters.

"It was really a surprise," said Baker, "I didn't expect it."

Many hard-charging Seabees were submitted for the title, but in the end Baker was selected by the Safety Committee.

"For our inaugural Safe Seabee of the Month award, we had four strong nominees that made an impact on the command's safety program, but EO3 Baker's accomplishments stood out," said Lt. Cmdr. Tom Lyons, NMCB 74 executive officer. "The effort that EO3 Baker put in on the Ammo Supply Point project to keep the crew and the on-site Marine guards safe is commendable, and the fact that there have been no safety mishaps on the project site speaks for itself. EO3 Baker has clearly set a high standard for the award."

The Safe Seabee of the Month receives a Letter of Appreciation, a Commanding Officer's Coin and has their photo displayed on the battalion safety board. At the end of each quarter all three Safe Seabee of the Month winners will compete for Safe Seabee of the Quarter. That winner will be awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal by the commanding officer.

"NMCB 74's Safe Seabee of the Month is an incentive that the battalion's Safety Committee believes will help reduce mishaps and allow our troops to be recognized for their performance," said Chief Petty Officer Jeff Allgood, a buillder and NMCB 74's Command Safety representative.

"It was very easy to choose Petty Officer Baker. He is a role model of safety for all of his troops and for Alfa Company as well," said Chief Petty Officer Joe Hangren, an equipment operator and ASP project chief. "He will most certainly earn that NAM."

• Date Taken: 09.05.2009
• Date Posted: 10.22.2009 08:47
• Story ID: 40504
• Location: AF