By Susan E. Lester, Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering Public Affairs
Rear Adm. Quinn (left), Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) Commanding Officer, recognizes BUC Eric Chamberlin with a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during the NETC Instructor of the Year ceremony in Pensacola, Fla. Photo by Ed Barker, NETC PAO
BUC Eric Chamberlin, Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC), Port Hueneme, Calif., was selected as the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) Senior Enlisted Instructor of the Year from among hundreds of Naval instructors. Chamberlin was one of four Instructors of the Year (IOY) announced and recognized by NETC at a ceremony in the National Museum of Naval Aviation on board Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., Dec. 12.
Chamberlin, who hails from Grand Ledge, Mich., joined the Navy in 1999. During his current assignment to NCTC, he teaches the Builder Advanced C School Pipeline, Heavy Timber Construction, Powder Actuated Tools courses and serves as the Builder School House Director.
I really enjoy teaching and enjoy teaching my rating even more. Teaching perpetuates the cycle of skills and knowledge, which for us, is a basic necessity in a system such as the military. As a senior enlisted leaders, teaching keeps us in touch with younger generations of Sailors and helps us maintain our skills as subject matter experts, explained Chamberlin when asked how he feels about being selected as the Senior Enlisted IOY by NETC.
"It is a great honor for Chief Chamberlin to receive this impressive recognition. We feel strongly about the quality of his teaching and the breadth of his contributions. So it is really gratifying to see him rewarded for his dedication and effort. The whole command is very proud of him and we are happy to brag about his award," said Commander Dan Cook, NCTC Commanding Officer, about Chamberlin s success.
NETC Force Master Chief Jon Port coordinates the SOY and IOY programs for the NETC enterprise and the SOY/IOY week in Pensacola.
These are outstanding examples of the best and brightest the Navy has to offer, said Port. "It s important to identify and recognize our best Sailors and Instructors and their hard work, dedication, pride and professionalism. It s those traits that results in these individuals rising above the rest, and the SOY and IOYs provide an excellent example for the NETC enterprise to emulate. They are representative of the exceptional talent we have in our training pipeline and are responsible for training our replacements in the fleet. I couldn t be more honored to stand on the same stage with those chosen and recognize their efforts."
BUC Chamberlin's hands-on style and personal connection is appreciated by his students.
BUC Eric Chamberlin (right) instructs BU3 Nicholas Stanek during the Interior and Exterior Finishes portion of the Builder Advanced course at NCTC. Photo by Susan Lester
BUC Chamberlin is a very hands-on instructor. He has no problem showing us how to do the job by getting into the trenches with us. If we mess up something he doesn t ride us about it. He shows us the right way to do it, demonstrates it clearly and makes sure each student understands before he moves on, explained Builder Petty Officer Second Class Nathan Darnell.
BUC Chamberlin's instruction and facilitation style along with his military experience make him a well-rounded role model for his students to emulate, replied NCTC Command Master Chief Martin Laurie when asked what makes Chamberlin stand out as a Naval instructor.
"If a Sailor has the opportunity to become an instructor at a training command, either at an A-School, a C-School, or at Recruit Training Command, they should take it. We have a responsibility to train our reliefs." Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) (AW/NAC) Mike D. Stevens
The NETC SOY and IOY programs recognize Sailors throughout the NETC domain who exhibit sustained superior performance, leadership, mentorship, knowledge and teaching of military history and heritage, self-improvement, command and community involvement and exemplary military bearing among other traits.
Chamberlin sets his sights on achieving the rate of Master Chief Petty Officer.
I want to earn my way to becoming a Master Chief Petty Officer. I chose the enlisted career path and to see it to its pinnacle is my goal as a Sailor. This goal will further enable me to implement ideas and influence my community to help maintain the Seabees as a flexible force that supports missions and upholds our proud traditions as the military construction force of choice, Chamberlin explained when asked about his professional goals.