NCG 1 Seabee Named CNO Shore Sailor of the Year, by MC2 Kevin J. Steinberg, Defense Media Activity
Vice Adm. Scott Swift, director, Navy Staff, named Steelworker 1st Class Brenton Heisserer, Naval Construction Group (NCG) 1, as the recipient of the CNO Shore Activities Sailor of the Year (SOY) during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., April 17.
Joining Heisserer as a SOY finalist were Naval Aircrewman (Avionics) 1st Class William Ballard, Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Johnetta Heckerd, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jason Hildreth and Yeoman 1st Class Holly Parimore.
"It's important to remember that these five Sailors in front of us today, the excellence that they represent is reflective of the excellence that we enjoy across the entire force and in particular today recognizing the shore-side Sailors," said Swift.
Heisserer was the U.S. Pacific Fleet Shore SOY. He is the lead petty officer for Contingency Construction Crew Training and is designated the assistant command master training specialist for technical readiness of more than 300 personnel.
"I stand before you with great humility and it's an honor to be recognized," said Heisserer. "Especially among the other finalists here."
Adm. Elmo Zumwalt initiated the SOY program in 1972, to recognize the outstanding Atlantic and Pacific Fleet Sailors. The following year, the Shore SOY program was introduced. Each year, every Navy ship, station and command around the world chooses its SOY based on leadership, professionalism, dedication and superior performance. These selectees compete against recipients from other commands competing at higher and higher echelons until the Navy's four finest are chosen and only one selected as the CNO Shore Activities SOY.
NMCB 25 Seabee Named Reserve Sailor of the Year, by MC1 Stephen Hickok, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West
Navy Reserve Sailor of the Year, CM1 Jimie Bartholomew, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25, is presented a plaque by Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Robin Braun and Navy Reserve Force Master Chief C.J. Mitchell at the conclusion of the Reserve Sailor of the Year selection ceremony at the United States Navy Memorial. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Stephen Hickok
Construction Mechanic 1st Class (SCW/EXW) Jimie Bartholomew, Navy Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 25, was announced as the 2014 Reserve Sailor of the Year (RSOY) by Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Robin R. Braun, during a ceremony at the United States Navy Memorial, Washington, D.C., April 16.
Bartholomew was selected from five finalists including Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Steven Flemming, 1st Battalion 23rd Marines; Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class Ansel Glendenning, Navy Reserve Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 61; Gunner's Mate 1st Class Jessica Harrison, Navy Operational Support Center Greenville, S.C.; and Machinist's Mate 1st Class Keith Wright, Surgemain Nashville.
According to Braun, all five candidates are leaders and represent the finest Sailors in the Reserves.
"You only need to talk to these Sailors for a few minutes to understand why, out of the approximately 10,000 first class petty officers in the Navy Reserve, they were the fantastic five that were chosen to represent the Navy Reserve," said Braun. "What they have accomplished by making it this far is remarkable. They have come a long way."
Navy Reserve Force Master Chief C.J. Mitchell also praised the finalists accomplishments.
"Finalists, you are the Sailors I brag about," said Mitchell. "You have heard it all week. You are all winners and I am proud to be your force master chief."
The candidates were praised for not only their Navy accomplishments, but also for the other half of their lives as Reserve Sailors.
"These Sailors are indicative of and representative of the outstanding Sailors we have in the Reserves," said Mitchell. "They have volunteered and mobilized and gone forward. They have families and have civilian jobs, such as teacher, firefighter, benefits auditor and railroad conductor. They are students and college graduates and they volunteer in their community. Most importantly they are Sailor leaders," said Mitchell.
When the winner was announced during the ceremony, Bartholomew was shocked. "When they said 'CM1,' I thought 'No way,'" said Bartholomew.
He also mirrored Brauns and Mitchell's praise for the other nominees. "What an outstanding group; it's an honor to be anywhere associated with these Sailors. "It is very humbling," Bartholomew said.
Each Sailor received a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during the ceremony. In May, Bartholomew will return to Washington for the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Sailor of the Year week hosted by the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) where Bartholomew will be meritoriously advanced to chief petty officer. The ceremony was the ending to a week of events in the National Capital Region including tours of the Pentagon, White House, Capitol Building, United States Navy Memorial and Navy History Museum, as well as numerous visits and meetings with Navy leadership.