Sailor Defies the Odds and Inspires Using Recipe for Success

Photo By Austin Breum | Chief Navy Counselor Carmen Vega, assigned to Site Northwest, is featured as Recruiter in the Spotlight.  

EVERETT, WA, UNITED STATES

11.19.2021

Story by Jordan Smith 

Commander, Navy Recruiting Command

• 10 cups of Loving Positive Laughter
• 8 cups of Purpose
• 7 cups of Passion
• 6 tablespoons of Self-Determination
• 5 tablespoons of Confidence

• Bake for life at 340 degrees, and you will have Success for as long as you like.


Chief Navy Counselor Carmen Vega’s recipe for success must be a winner since she was hand-picked to take over Site Northwest (NW) (Everett, Whidbey, Kitsap, Japan, Hawaii and Guam) as a first class, when that position is usually held by a master chief. Now, as the station’s leading chief petty officer in NW Everett, Vega’s leadership and support have yielded incredible results and inspired her Sailors.

“From the very beginning, she believed in me and my ability to do this job well,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Kemberley Benavitz, Reserve talent scout for Prior-Service Site NW Hawaii. “She is sincere and truly does care about each and every one of her junior Sailors. She will bend over backward to help any one of her Sailors out. I can't count how many times I have asked Chief Vega for something, and she has done it for me. She makes this job fun, and I want nothing more than to make her proud.”

Taking over an E9 position as an E6 was met with mixed reviews. Her arrival brought with it doubt and laughter by others because recruiting is a tough business. It’s even tougher on a curve. However, despite the naysayers, Vega didn’t lose sight of what was important.

“My focus was to come out here to succeed and keep in mind why I was sent here,” said Vega. “I looked at every obstacle as an opportunity to learn and get better. I have always faced challenges in my life. Have I fallen? Yes. Did I get up? Yes. I have not done it alone though. I have to thank amazing mentors that I’ve had during my life that have guided me through this journey.”

Vega’s focus and mindset paid off, especially for her Sailors. She believes it is important to recognize Sailors for their hard work.

“To recognize those Sailors who have gone above and beyond mission, community and themselves, Navy Recruiting Command (NRC) Navy Reserve Accessions (N3R) NW had two Sailors who were MAP’d to the next paygrade – one from Kitsap and the other from Hawaii,” said Vega. “In addition, we also recognized our first member under the Junior Sailor of the Quarter program. This is all a first for N3R!”

When it comes to leadership style, Vega likes to lead by example as well as motivate others while maintaining humility, caring and understanding.

“One of the things I continue to do for this team is to be the best role model possible,” said Vega. “I integrate passion toward what they do, stay focused, increase moral and train them to best of my ability, so they can take over my position one day and mentor others as they move along their careers.”

The impact Vega has on her Sailors can’t be overstated. Her passion and encouragement are contagious and strengthen her team’s camaraderie.

“One of the most inspiring things about Chief Vega is her drive,” said Navy Counselor 1st Class Theodore Mack, division leading petty officer for Prior-Service Site NW Hawaii. “Not just her drive for her own success but her drive for everyone to succeed. She once told me, ‘Let me know what you need, and I will do what I can in my power to get so that you can be successful!’ The last time I heard these words would be almost 16 years ago from a senior chief steel worker. Chief Vega will go out of her way to support a team member, and those team members will do the same for her. I feel these are significant factors that contribute to her recipe for success and leadership style.”

Despite being initially underestimated when she took over her station, Vega found her winning ingredients. She continues to stay focused and committed to her Sailors, and that is a recipe you’ll want seconds of.

Navy Recruiting Command consists of a command headquarters, three Navy Recruiting Regions and 26 Navy Talent Acquisition Groups that serve more than 1,000 recruiting stations across the world. Their combined goal is to attract the highest quality candidates to assure the ongoing success of America’s Navy.

For more news from Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, go to http://www.cnrc.navy.mil. Follow Navy Recruiting on Facebook (www.facebook.com/MyNAVYHR), Twitter (@USNRecruiter) and Instagram (@USNRecruiter).

• Date Taken: 11.19.2021
• Date Posted: 11.24.2021 16:46
• Story ID: 410036
• Location: EVERETT, WA, US