Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Cory Asato | GREAT LAKES, Ill. (Feb. 21, 2023) Engineman (EN) 2nd Class Kellar W. Smith, a Surface...... read more read more
Great Lakes, Ill. (February 24, 2023) — Engineman (EN) 2nd Class Kellar W. Smith, middle, a Surface Warfare Engineering School Command Great Lakes (SWESC GL) instructor, was recognized as Surface Warfare Schools Command (SWSC) 2022 Junior Sailor of the Year (JSOY), February 24.
Petty Officer Smith earned SWSC 2022 JSOY, represented SWESC GL against Sailors from SWSC learning sites in 12 geographically dispersed locations in the continental United States, Hawaii and Japan, as well as fleet support for forward deployed forces in Spain and Bahrain.
"Petty Officer Smith is a phenomenal leader and professional who operates well above his paygrade and sets the example of “Excellence” for all our Sailors to strive to,” Said Cmdr. Ervin L. Henley, commanding officer, SWESC. “Anyone with firsthand knowledge of his accomplishments can tell you his work displays the SWESC command philosophy of E.O.S. ( Excellence, Ownership and Sustainment) and he could not be more deserving of this award."
Smith is a “C” School instructor for SWESC GL, which is the U.S. Navy’s only apprentice training track for accession surface engineers and provides accession surface navigation training for quartermaster personnel. Smith has worked his way through positions as instructor, course supervisor, and curriculum manager for EN “C” School and departmental Master Training Specialist Coordinator.
Chief Engineman William R. Park, SWESC GL EN “C” School Leading Chief Petty Officer gave insight into Smith’s dedication and hard work. How Smith applied critical thinking and foresight, an understanding of what needs to be done and in a timely manner and how it set him ahead of his peers.
“The SOY program allows us to recognize the Sailor most dedicated to their ordered mission regardless of what mission set that is,” said Park. “In my 18 years of service I have only met one other second class that has had the dedication and foresight that Smith has, outside of myself. I really hope that I get to see Smith put on khakis before I retire. It’s sailors like Smith that we need more of. With the right guidance and mentorship, Smith will be a Master Chief in no time.”
Smith has served in the Navy for eight years, previously with USS George Washington (CVN 73) and Naval Support Activity Bahrain before reporting to SWESC GL and earning Junior Instructor for Quarter 2, 2022, and Junior Sailor for Quarter 3, 2022, which led to his achievements of SWESC GL JSOY 2022 and SWSC JSOY 2022.
“My perseverance, and strong will to be the best instructor and Sailor is what led to me being selected as JSOY,” said Smith. “Everything I’ve done and learned from this command has definitely set me up to help my future Junior Sailors with success and greater opportunities with their naval career.”
Smith attributes mentorship and support from the Chief’s mess, providing pure leadership skills, dedication, and the high energy that helped him reach his goals and be recognized.
“I would like to shout out Senior Chief Engineman (retired) Locklear, Chief Engineman Thompson, Chief Engineman Ruck, Chief Engineman Park, and Chief Machinist’s Mate Magarelli for everything they’ve done to get me at this point in my career,” said Smith. “In the future I would ultimately like to become a Navy Diesel Engine Inspector. I am due to re-enlist on March 17, 2023. I am now awaiting special program orders for the Pre-Commissioning of LHA-8.”
For more information on SCSTC, visit: https://www.netc.navy.mil/SWSC/.
| Date Taken: | 02.24.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 02.28.2023 13:50 |
| Story ID: | 439283 |
| Location: | GREAT LAKES, IL, US |
| Web Views: | 509 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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