Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Sypert | U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT), right, and U.S....... read more read more
HONOLULU – Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) officially named the FY 2025 PACFLT Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year (SOY) during a recognition ceremony at the Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu, May 6, 2026.
Boatswains Mate 1st Class Ciara Heath, representing U.S. Pacific Fleet was selected as the Shore Sailor of the Year, and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Michael Hunter, representing Carrier Strike Group 1, was selected as the Sea Sailor of the Year. In recognition of their outstanding performance and selection, both Sailors will be meritoriously promoted to the rank of chief petty officer.
The ceremony served as the culminating event of the annual SOY week, a program designed to evaluate and honor the fleet's top-performing enlisted personnel. Leading up to the announcement, nominees spent the week visiting key historical and military sites across Oahu, including the USS Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, Ford Island, and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
The week’s events were heavily anchored in the Fleet Orders issued by U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, PACFLT, emphasizing the core principles of Professionalism, Combat Readiness, Safety, Stewardship, Teamwork, and Resiliency.
“All of our SOY finalists have demonstrated the ability to lead as a chief petty officer (CPO), and to live by the CPO mission, vision, and guiding principles,” said Koehler. My challenge to them is to continue their momentum and continue to improve and remain committed every day to further refine and deliver on leadership for our Sailors.”
Throughout the week, U.S. Navy Fleet Master Chief Don Davis, PACFLT, and five additional senior enlisted board members engaged with the nominees, sharing their extensive experience and providing leadership mentorship. "We are incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated professionals serving in our ranks," said Davis. "Their absolute professionalism stood out throughout the entire week, and the impact they have on our fleet goes well beyond their day-to-day duties. These Sailors are proven leaders, mentors, and innovators, and I look forward to seeing how they will shape the future success of our Navy."
The sea SOY finalists were Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Cory Holmes, representing 1st Marine Division, Yeoman 1st Class Tornopela Fogle, representing Joint Maritime Ashore Support Team Pacific, and Aerographers Mate 1st Class Johnny Hendricks, representing U.S. 7th Fleet.
The shore SOY finalists were Religious Programs Specialist 1st Class Heather Coffey, representing Marine Installations West, Navy Counselor 1st Class Melygil Non, representing Patrol Recon Wing One, And Aviation Ordnanceman Brendan Forsling, representing Navy Munitions Command Pacific East Asia Division.
| Date Taken: | 05.06.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 05.08.2026 14:47 |
| Story ID: | 564610 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 22 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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