USNS Earl Warren Second Officer Awarded Civilian Service Achievement Medal

Photo By Sarah Cannon | Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, commander, Military Sealift Command presented the Civilian Service Achievement Medal award to Second Officer Nicholas Rossi onboard MSC fleet replenishment oiler USNS Earl Warren (T-AO 207) in San Diego, Calif. Rossi, a crewmember of Warren, received the award for a temporary assignment to the MSC fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200), whose second officer cargo billet was gapped. While on Guadalupe, he used his background as a cargo officer to assist with the completion of tank cleaning. Rossi’s Person-in-Charge (PIC) license endorsement to facilitate petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) transfer operations, gave the ship the ability to have crew members to do the work, at the pier, saving MSC nearly $1 million.  

UNITED STATES

08.26.2025

Story by Sarah Cannon 

Military Sealift Command Pacific

Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, commander, Military Sealift Command presented the Civilian Service Achievement Medal award to Second Officer Nicholas Rossi onboard MSC fleet replenishment oiler USNS Earl Warren (T-AO 207) in San Diego, Calif.

Rossi, a crewmember of Warren, received the award for a temporary assignment to the MSC fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200), whose second officer cargo billet was gapped. While on Guadalupe, he used his background as a cargo officer to assist with the completion of tank cleaning. Under Rossi’s direction, Guadalupe’s crew completed tank cleaning operations, transferring tank washings and facilitating their safe offload to contractor tank trucks shoreside. This assignment involved long hours on deck and required keen attention to detail to ensure the safety of the ship and its crew, as well as thorough compliance with environmental safeguards. Rossi’s Person-in-Charge (PIC) license endorsement to facilitate petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) transfer operations, gave the ship the ability to have crew members to do the work, at the pier, saving MSC nearly $1 million.

“It is always great to be able to come out to the ships and meet with the CIVMARs and to recognize a job well done,” said Sobeck. “It is especially great to be able to recognize Mr. Rossi who not only stepped up for the good of MSC, but who also sets an example for all of us when it comes to actually being a member of the team. Well done!”

MSC directs and supports operations for approximately 140 civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships at sea, conduct specialized missions, preposition combat cargo at sea around the world, perform a variety of support services, and move military equipment and supplies to deployed U.S. forces. MSC exists to support the joint warfighter across the full spectrum of military operations, with a workforce that includes approximately 6,000 Civil Service Mariners and 1,100 contract mariners, supported by 1,500 shore staff and 1,400 active duty and reserve military personnel.

• Date Taken: 08.26.2025
• Date Posted: 08.26.2025 14:29
• Story ID: 546558
• Location: US