US Navy’s Supercarrier Announces Sailors of Year

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) announced it’s Senior Sailor of the Year, Sailor of the Year, Junior Sailor of the Year and Blue Jacket of the Year for fiscal year 2011.

Electrician’s Mate 1st Class Matthew Wimberly, Quartermaster 2nd Class Luis Torres, Ship’s Serviceman 3rd Class Andrew Ross and Ship’s Serviceman Seaman Timothy Gates were each named at the ship’s holiday party.

“I didn’t think I’d be able to get such a prestigious award,” said Gates. “I consider myself to be a great Sailor, but I just didn’t think I would get it.”

Gates was not the only Sailor from Supply Department to win an award.

“I was just doing my job to the best of my abilities. I’m always wanting to do more,” said Ross. “I know as a third class that I can’t take my leading petty officer’s job, but I was trying to help alleviate some of his work load.”

At the start of his tour on board Nimitz, Ross rose into an assistant supervisor position after working in vending. From there he moved on to barbershop supervisor and then became Hotel Nimitz’ supervisor by maintaining officer staterooms, he said.

“We own a lot of spaces and don’t have enough people to manage them,” said Ross. “To help out my guys, I can normally do the job of two or three personnel.”

Like Ross and Gates, Torres has been selected and awarded as a direct result of his hard work.

“Since I arrived aboard Nimitz I’ve tried to do all that I can,” said Torres. “If someone asks for a volunteer to do something, I am usually the person to say that I will do it.”

Torres has attempted to keep advancing in rank while at the same time maintaining the same positive attitude, he said. He said he tries to be a positive influence on junior Sailors and helps them in their pursuit of their enlisted surface warfare pins and training.

“Don’t do things because you want people to see it, just do things because it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

Many of the recipients said they were surprised at their selections, because they were all just trying to do their jobs.

“I was really just trying to do my job as best I could. I didn’t even know I was in the running for this until after it was decided,” said Wimberly. “I was really surprised. I think the main reason I was surprised was because of the time I have in the Navy compared to the other people in the running.”

Wimberly made petty officer first class at his four-year point in the Navy.

“I was the acting chief for my division for six months and the zone manager for this entire availability, which is normally a chief or junior officer billet. I’ve been in charge of about 19 to 22 people for about the past three years,” said Wimberly.

All of the awardees gave the same advice as a key point of success: do your job and work to the best of your abilities while at the same time maintaining a squared away appearance.

“Before doing anything physically, you have to want it mentally,” said Ross. “There’s no way you’re going to be able to do all the stuff that any great person has done if you’re not there mentally.

“Everybody loves liberty, but you have to get to the point where you don’t get mad about staying late. So to take it to the next level, you may have to stay 30 minutes to an hour after working hours,” said Ross.

Wimberly reminds junior Sailors that they can go as far as they want and that they should show that they are motivated. He said anytime there is work to be done, it is a good idea to volunteer for work and to be ready to complete the task.

Although Sailors who are performing to exemplary standards are the strongest candidates for the award, a spotless record is not required for a nomination.

Gates found himself on restriction in the fall of 2010. Since then, he has approached his career in the Navy with a new perspective.

“You know, before you get in trouble, the mindset is like, oh it’s not going to happen to me,” said Gates. “But then it happens, and you realize you’re not invincible or untouchable. I just stayed out of trouble, regained my focus and tried to work my hardest at everything I was tasked to do. Restriction just helped me regain focus, get my priorities straight and helped me to mature a lot as well,” said Gates.

The Nimitz SOYs said they have the same goals in mind since being awarded: continue to maintain and exhibit themselves in exemplary manners, while trying to improve upon themselves and basic military appearance.

“I feel like it’s more weight on my shoulders,” said Torres. “I feel like I need to improve and move up from what I’ve been doing. People expect more from me. You must always be squared away, and maintain or improve where you are right now. I think it’s good though; I like that pressure to keep me busy.”

Three of the awardees are preparing to move to the next level in their careers, which includes furthering their educations, advancing in rank and continuing to lead junior Sailors. However, one of the awardees is preparing for life outside of the Navy, and is ready to take what he has learned from his time in the service into the civilian world.

“The Navy has helped me out as far as having integrity,” said Gates. “Just taking pride in everything that I do. I’ll make sure that I try to do my best with each and every opportunity that comes my way when I get out. You just need to stay focused on your goal, and not hang around people who aren’t focused because they’ll alter that mindset, make you lose focus and lose track of your goals. I would say just go for it, right away, whatever your goal is. If not, you’re going to keep putting it off. I wish I had known that when I came in.”

[mappress]
Naval Today Staff, December 15, 2011