VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Navy Expeditionary Combat Command announced its 2011 Sea, Shore and Reserve Sailors of the Year during a luncheon Jan. 26.
Master Chief Farris Foresman, NECC force master chief, announced Engineman 1st Class (EXW/SW) Alfredo Granados, Riverine Group 1, as Sea SOY; Logistics Specialist 1st Class (EXW/SW) Marqueast Tillery, Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center, as Shore SOY; and Construction Mechanic 1st Class (SCW) John Thompson, First Naval Construction Division, as Reserve SOY.
Earlier in the week, each of the 12 candidates attended an interview board before four master chief petty officers where they were asked scenario based leadership questions and judged on their professionalism, military bearing, evaluations and SOY package.
“The competition was extremely intense,” said Rear Adm. Michael P. Tillotson, commander of NECC. ”It is very important to recognize all these well rounded sailors who stand out among their peers and exemplified the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment in every aspect of their lives.”
When asked why the SOYs thought they were selected, Tillery emphasized superior performance is what got him where he is today. He said to make SOY he not only took care of himself professionally and personally, but also reached out to the sailors around him and encouraged them to be leaders.
Granados added, “I feel greatly honored to be recognized in a field of such highly trained and motivated sailors within NECC and today’s Navy.”
Granados and Tillery are now in the competition for Sea and Shore United States Fleet Forces Direct Reporting Activities SOY where they will continue to compete at the Chief of Naval Operations competition. Thompson will move on to the Commander Navy Reserve Force competition. Winners of USFF DRA and CNRF SOY will be meritoriously advanced to the rank of chief petty officer.
These sailors represent NECC’s enduring force providing capability across the full ranges of military operations in the maritime strategy to include forward presence, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, seas control, power projection and deterrence, now and in the future.
The Navy’s SOY program was established in 1972 and recognizes one sailor from each command who demonstrates sustained superior performance, proven leadership, outstanding professionalism and dedication to self-improvement.