U.S. Fleet Forces Command Names Sea, Shore Sailors of Year

The 2011 U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) Direct Reporting Activities (DRA) Fleet Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year (SOY) were named by USFF’s Chief of Staff during a ceremony at the command’s headquarters, Jan. 26.

Rear Adm. Mark Guadagnini named Aerographer’s Mate 1st Class Richard A. Lehmkuhl Jr., Fleet Weather Center Norfolk, of Panama Canal Zone, Panama, as USFF DRA Shore SOY. Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Atiba D. Mathlin, of Brooklyn, N.Y., assigned to Marine Corps Security Force Regiment Norfolk, was named USFF DRA Sea SOY.

Prior to announcing the winners, Guadagnini praised all seven candidates.

“The Sailors standing up on this stage represent the best and brightest the Navy has to offer,” said Guadagnini. “The time I’ve been privileged to spend with them this week has been more than a pleasure. They’ve impressed me with their intelligence and their devotion to duty. These future leaders bode well not only for our Navy, but for our Nation, and I want to congratulate each and every one of them for their accomplishments.”

The Sailors of the Year announcement came after a week of activities designed to highlight the individual accomplishments of the seven finalists for the awards. Social functions sponsored by local Hampton Roads military and civilian supporters led up to the final step of the SOY competition, an intense review board for each candidate to determine who would be chosen to represent USFF as the USFF Sea and Shore SOYs.

“I was shocked when they announced my name,” said Mathlin. “This is an incredibly impressive group of Sailors, and at the same time a great group of people to spend time with and get to know.”

Lehmkuhl echoed those sentiments.

“It was a nerve racking week, but I really enjoyed getting to know this amazing collection of Sailors. Its obvious why they were selected, but I’m still trying to wrap my head around why I ended up here,” said Lehmkuhl.

Lehmkuhl’s spouse, Heather, was able to answer that question.

“He told me he didn’t deserve this, but I told him it isn’t how he sees himself, it’s how others see him and that’s why he’s where he’s at,” said Heather Lehmkuhl. “I know he doesn’t think he deserves this, but I am so incredibly proud of what he’s accomplished.”

Both Sailors said neither would be there without the support of their commands.

“My chain of command made all of this possible,” said Lehmkuhl. “I wouldn’t be here without the guidance and direction of my mentors and to a phenomenal team of Sailors working with and for me, and most especially from my wife Heather.”

Lehmkuhl and Mathlin spoke about their secrets to success.

“Take care of your Sailors,” said Lehmkuhl. “If you put their welfare before your own it will all fall into place.”

“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the Sailors I lead,” said Mathlin. “They made this all possible.”

Both Mathlin and Lehmkuhl will now compete against Sailors selected from both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets, and will compete to become the Fleet SOY. The Sailor chosen at this level will be automatically selected for chief petty officer.

The chief of naval operations established the SOY Program in 1972 to recognize the outstanding Sailors of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleet. The program is designed to recognize the best all-around Sailors from the ranks of E-4 through E-6.

The other finalists nominated for USFF DRA Sea Sailor of the Year include:

– IT1 (SW/AW) Tiffany A. Grace, Carrier Strike Group 12

– IT1 (SW/AW) Jonathan S. Pollard, UNSN Mercy (T-AH 19)

– ND1 (DSW/FMF/SW/PJ) Jacob M. Schonacher, Sr., 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion

The other finalists nominated for Fleet Shore Sailor of the Year include:

– BM1 (SW/EXW) Zane Allen, Port Operations Officer Military Sealift Command European and Africa in Naples, Italy

– MN1 (SW) Michael J. Lynch, Navy Munitions Command, Unit Charleston in Goose Creek, S.C.

[mappress]
Naval Today Staff , January 30, 2012