Meet the NMCB 11 Sailor of the Year

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Ledimir Nunez | 220309-N-MM936-1002 Construction Mechanic First Class Kirk Yost, a native of Montpelier, Ohio, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11’s Alfa Company, has been named NMCB-11’s Sailor of the Year. (U.S. Navy photo by Builder Constructionman Ledimir Nunez)  

GULFPORT, MS, UNITED STATES

03.18.2022

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ledimir Nunez 

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11

Story by Builder Constructionman Ledimir Nunez

Construction Mechanic (CM) First Class Kirk Yost, a native of Montpelier, Ohio, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11’s Alfa Company has been named NMCB-11’s Sailor of the Year. The award serves as well-deserved recognition for Yost’s strong commitment to excellence and his devotion to mentoring and guiding his junior Sailors.

As a child, Yost knew he always wanted to be a mechanic. After graduating from a class of less than 100 students in 2008, Yost decided to follow his early passions for high performance cars and trucks as well as building and assembling things with his hands to a career in the Navy. CM1 Yost is the first to admit, “The Navy got it right when they placed me as a Construction Mechanic.”

When speaking on the habits that have earned him recognition such as the Sailor of the Quarter and Sailor of the Year award, Yost says “I start every day new; I go into each day with a renewed dedication to learn something which I had not previously known. This can be something out of an instruction or something one of my mechanics discovered while working on a unit of CESE (Civil Engineer Support Equipment).”

Yost joined NMCB-11 in August 2017 and already he has been tasked with responsibilities and billets above his rank and pay-grade, an indicator of his ability to excel in any task. During a recent deployment to Rota, Spain, Yost stepped in to serve as the Alfa Company Maintenance Supervisor, a position normally billeted for a Senior Chief that requires superb attention to detail and advanced management skills. His primary focus was to oversee that operational and corrective maintenance was completed for all of NMCB 11’s CESE. Each piece of equipment needs to be safe, reliable and mission ready.

While in Rota, Yost also served as the Alfa Company Cost Supervisor where he says his high standards allowed him to be successful. “I accept nothing but the highest quality product from my shop. I believe every work center has room for improvement and finding those areas of improvement through intrusive leadership is very helpful.”

Throughout his 14 years in the Navy, Yost has dedicated himself to improving processes, procedures, and workflow. He has also served in various collateral duties where his focus shifts directly to improving the career and fitness of those who serve with him.

As the Alfa Company Fitness Leader and Seabee Combat Warfare (SCW) Coordinator, Yost says he approaches his collateral duties with the same attention to detail. “I stay on top of both short and long-term individual, team, and mission objectives. I schedule and track Seabee progress through the SCWs program and lead Alfa Company PT and the Fitness Enhancement Program (FEP) to ensure physical readiness.” His efforts have led to the advancement of assigned personnel and contributed to a significant amount of warfare qualifications.

In his free time, Yost likes to spend time with his two boys (2 and 4), and his wife. He is currently enrolled in classes at Coastline Community College in Fountain Valley, California. His goal is to complete his B.S. in Mechanical Technology before retiring, and we know he will get it done.

• Date Taken: 03.18.2022
• Date Posted: 04.18.2022 15:37
• Story ID: 418453
• Location: GULFPORT, MS, US