Misawa announces Sailors of the Year

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew M. Bradley, Naval Air Facility Misawa mass communication specialist, receives his NAFM Junior Sailor of the Year award plaque from U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Michael Napier, NAFM CMC, left, and U.S. Navy Capt. James D. Haugen, NAFM Commanding Officer at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 2, 2010. The NAFM Junior Sailor of the Year is selected based upon E-5’s display of leadership, professionalism, dedication and superior performance.

Misawa announces Sailors of the Year

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Chase Rardin, Naval Air Facility Misawa master at arms, receives his NAFM Bluejacket of the Year award plaque from U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Michael Napier, NAFM CMC, left, and U.S. Navy Capt. James D. Haugen, NAFM Commanding Officer at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 2, 2010. The NAFM Bluejacket of the Year is selected based upon E-1 through E-4’s display of leadership, professionalism, dedication and superior performance.

Misawa announces Sailors of the Year

Published Dec. 17, 2010
By Airman James B. Bauer
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Naval Air Facility Misawa Senior Sailor of the Year, Junior Sailor of the Year and Bluejacket of the Year recipients were announced during the annual Navy Christmas social here, Dec. 2, 2010.

Sailors receiving honors were:

· U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Gio Espinosa, NAFM personnel specialist, received Senior Sailor of the Year.

· U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew M. Bradley, NAFM mass communication specialist, received Junior Sailor of the Year.

· U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Chase Rardin, NAFM master at arms, received Bluejacket of the Year.

"The Sailor of the Year is a program established to recognize the top Sailor within a respective pay grade," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Ken Ballard, NAFM Yeoman.

The ranks of E-1 through E-4, from various parts of the command, compete to be selected for the title of Bluejacket of the Year. E-5's compete to be selected for Junior Sailor of the Year, and E-6's are selected for Senior Sailor of the Year.

Nominees prepare a package detailing work accomplishments, off-duty community involvement, volunteering and education. The nominees go in front of a board of their superiors and are graded on a point system based on military bearing, presentation of uniform and an interview.

"It's an honor to be nominated as Junior Sailor of the Year," said Petty Officer 1st Class Bradley. "My job is to highlight Sailors for the jobs they do, so it is a humbling experience."

As the Senior Sailor of the Year selectee for NAFM, Petty Officer 1st Class Espinosa is currently in Yokosuka, Japan, in the running for the regional, PACAF Senior Sailor of the Year title.