A boatswain’s mate and information systems technician were honored Friday as the sea and shore “Sailors of the Year” by the San Diego-based Third Fleet.
The honorees, named at a ceremony at Third Fleet headquarters in Point Loma, are Information Systems Technician 1st Class Jennifer Morgan and 1st Class Cedric Howard, who serves with the currently deployed Carrier Strike Group 1.
Prior to announcing the winners, a panel of Third Fleet master chiefs interviewed nine nominees. According to the Navy, the chiefs evaluated each sailor’s personal appearance, military bearing and career accomplishments. Their recommendation for Sailors of the Year were then forwarded to Third Fleet leadership for final approval.
“These nine phenomenal Sailor of the Year finalists represent the very best and the absolute finest of their commands,” said Vice Adm. Kenny Floyd, the Third Fleet commanding officer. “They have been selected for their consistent performance and adherence to the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment.”
The nominees also took part in events with nominees from Naval Air Forces, Surface Forces and Submarine Forces commands at the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, and USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum.
“My inspiration this week was my sailors,” Morgan said. “Seeing what they have been able to do and watching them strive and continue to excel empowers me to be the best I can possibly be for them.”
The Navy did not specify which ship Howard serves on. Carrier Strike Group 1 consists of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill, and guided-missile destroyers USS Gridley, USS Sterett and USS Dewey.
Other shore nominees included Operations Specialist 1st Class Shawn Hale, of the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Pacific and Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Bryan Olsen, of the Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command.
The nominees for in the sea category were Cryptologic Technician 1st Class Jason Martz, of Carrier Strike Group 11; Operations Specialist 1st Class Keith Osburn, of Carrier Strike Group 3; Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Eduardo Pamatz, of Carrier Strike Group 9; Cryptologic Technician 1st Class Eric Speight, of Carrier Strike Group 15; and Logistics Specialist 1st Class Shaun Winnett, of Expeditionary Strike Group 3.
The Third Fleet leads naval forces in the Eastern Pacific from the West Coast of North America to the international date line.
— City News Service