Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF), announced the 2010 U.S. Fleet Forces Command Fleet Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year (SOY) April 1.
Adm. J.C. Harvey, Jr. , announced the winners during a ceremony at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel in Norfolk, Va.
“It is our Sailors who are the heart and soul of our Navy,” said Harvey. “ These Sailors are the ones who bring meaning to the words: Honor, Courage, and Commitment. They are the ones who set the example for all of us.”
Construction Electrician First Class (SCW) Leonardo Calderon, of Guadalajara, Mexico, assigned to 31st Seabee Readiness Group, was named Fleet Shore SOY; and Aircraft Survival Equipmentman First Class (SW/AW) Amy Davis, of Lowell, Mass., assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87, was named Fleet Sea SOY.
The announcement came at the conclusion of a week of activities designed to highlight the individual accomplishments of the 12 finalists.
Those events included social functions sponsored by local Hampton Roads military and civilian supporters and a review board for each candidate to determine who would be chosen to represent USFF as the Fleet Sea and Shore SOYs.
“It’s indescribable,” said Davis. “I am so thankful for the recognition today and all those who supported me. I can’t even put it into words.”
The USFF SOY program recognizes the best and brightest Sailors throughout USFF. A total of 12 candidates, six sea-based and six shore-based, competed for the two honors.
“This is an amazing honor to stand here and represent the Seabees,” said Calderon. “The things you learn and the people that are around, to be considered amongst the top with the caliber of leaders that are here, has me in awe. I still can’t believe it.”
Calderon and Davis were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, presented by Harvey and USFF Fleet Master Chief (SW/AW) Michael Stevens, for their selection as Fleet SOYs.
The winners acknowledged that without the support of their commands and families, this accomplishment would not be possible.
“I have a tremendous support system at home. My husband is in the Navy and he has backed me up and stood by me 100 percent,” said Davis. “The Navy is a team effort and somebody obviously gets to rise to the top but without your friends, Sailors, and your shipmates you can’t do this by yourself.”
Davis will be meritoriously advanced to the rank of chief petty officer and Calderon will go on to the next round of competition at the Vice Chief of Naval Operations Shore SOY competition in May, held in Washington D.C.
( navy ) [mappress] Source: navy,April 6, 2011;