USA: NAVSUP Global Logistics Support Announces 2012 Sailor of the Year Winners

NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS) announced the command’s top Sailors for 2012, Jan. 11.

“Through their diligence, devotion to duty and commitment to their respective commands, our Sailor of the Year selectees demonstrate the best of our NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Centers (FLC) and sites around in supporting the warfighter, the warfighters’ operational efforts and theater security cooperation around the world,” said Rear Adm. Jon Yuen, commander, NAVSUP GLS.

“Each understands and has adopted our Chief of Naval Operations’ (CNO) ‘Sailing Directions’ and the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy’s (MCPON) universal theme ‘Zeroing in on Excellence’ by transforming their daily roles into actions that – to quote the MCPON – ‘build an environment where our entire organization gets stronger.’ They have done that. Competition was keen throughout the NAVSUP GLS enterprise, but I am very proud to recognize these dedicated enlisted leaders,” Yuen added.

NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, Site Atsugi, Japan’s Site’s Leading Petty Officer, Logistics Specialist 1st Class Aida L. Gonzalez (AW/SW), was selected as NAVSUP GLS enterprise Senior Sailor of the Year (SSOY).

Gonzalez, a native of Puerto Rico, was recognized for her ability to extend her multiple talents command wide. As the leading petty officer for NAVSUP FLC Atsugi, Gonzalez made a strong impact on 26 military and 75 civilian personnel, empowering them to consistently provide outstanding support services to Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, 30 tenant commands, CVW-5, and Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) units operating in the 7th and 5th Fleet Area Of Responsibility (AOR). She managed more than 6,4000 aviation consumable items valued at $7.4 million while maintaining 98 percent inventory accuracy, 100 percent location validity, and 98 percent net effectiveness; all greatly exceeding Type Commanders (TYCOM) goals.

“Becoming the SSOY means more than a personal accomplishment. It also means my entire site’s (FLCY) accomplishment. The reason I am her today is because of everything my Sailors and I did on a day-to-day basis in Atsugi,” said Gonzalez. “I thank my peers and my leadership for the support they have given me. They are all very important to me.”

According to the award citation, “Petty Officer Gonzalez’ exceptional leadership and managerial skills contributed to FLC Atsugi and ASD Atsugi earning a grade of outstanding (97 percent) during the 2012 Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF), and Supply Management Inspection (SMI) and winning the CNAF Ashore Blue “E” Supply Excellence Award.” In addition, during SMI, her hard work and ability to lead earned her a CNAF Navy Achievement Medal during the SMI from the inspection team. “She takes the bull-by-the-horns and gets the job done.”

When asked what advice she would give to other Sailors for success she said, “In everything you do, do your best to your abilities and if you do not know how to do something, reach out to a mentor and the rest will come naturally,” said Gonzalez.

NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Sigonella’s Logistics Specialist 2nd Class (SCW) Virginia DeVega was selected as NAVSUP GLS enterprise Sailor of the Year (SOY). NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound’s Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel Handler) 3rd Class (ABF3) (AW/SW) Judith I. Combs was selected for NAVSUP GLS enterprise Junior Sailor of the Year (JSOY) and NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville’s Logistic Specialist 3rd Class Louis Delk was selected at NAVSUP GLS enterprise 2012 Blue Jacket of the Year.

The Sailor of the Year program was established in 1972 in order to provide greater recognition for outstanding Sailors. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Whittet established the program to recognize an individual Sailor who best represented the ever-growing group of dedicated professional Sailors at each command and ultimately the Navy. When the program began, only the Atlantic and Pacific Fleet Sailors were recognized. Within 10 years, the Sailor of the Year program was expanded to include the shore establishment and Navy Reserve Sailors.

NAVSUP GLS is comprised of more than 7,200 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 112 locations worldwide providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units, and allied forces across all warfare enterprises. As NAVSUP’s operational “face to the fleet,” NAVSUP GLS provides headquarters oversight for a global network of Fleet Logistics Centers that provide Material Management Services, Warehousing Services, Integrated Logistics Support, Contracting Services, Global Logistics Services, Regional Transportation Services, Fuels, Hazardous Material Management Services, Transportation & Distribution Coordination, Global Logistics Planning & Coordination, Ammunition Supply Chain Management, Household Goods Services and Postal Services in alignment with NAVSUP and the Chief of Naval Operations Sailing Directions.

NAVSUP GLS is part of NAVSUP’s worldwide logistics network of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel providing “One-Touch Supply.”

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Naval Today Staff, January 17, 2013; Image: US Navy