Sailors of the Quarter
By Ensign James Hedman, NAS Whiting Field Public Affairs
Naval Air Station Whiting Field officially recognized its distinguished enlisted with Sailor of the Quarter awards for the fourth quarter. These Sailors were honored for their continued excellence and dedication to their duties as well as community involvement.
The candidates for the awards were competitive, but only one Sailor could be selected per category: Sailor of the Quarter, awarded to Master-at-Arms First Class Adam M. Turner, Junior Sailor of the Quarter, awarded to Master-at-Arms Second Class Erica D. Roten, and Blue Jacket of the Quarter, awarded to Air Traffic Controller Airman Charlotte A. Miller.
Turner serves as NAS Whiting Field Command Investigator, responsible for conducting command investigations and ensuring proper maintenance of evidence storage.
Turner’s Leading Chief Petty Officer, Master-at-Arms Chief Russell Nunn says Turner “has unlimited potential” and is “always the go-to guy when a job needs to be completed.”
During his tenure at NAS Whiting Field, Turner has trained three junior military, 23 Department of Defense patrolmen, and over 50 contract security guards. Turner also participated in a joint color guard event at Milton High School for a September 11 memorial, receiving special thanks from the Santa Rosa County Fire Fighters Association President, Chief John Rebel. Turner also participated in a color guard event at the University of West Florida, from which he received another letter from the Associate Dean of Students and Director for Inclusion Services and Programs, Dr. Lusharon Wiley.
Turner is also a member of the Command’s Anti-Terrorism Training Team, a board member of the First Class Petty Officer Association, achieved a score of “Outstanding” on his most recent PRT, has put in over 80 hours of volunteer service, and is an active softball player and horseshoe extraordinaire.
These achievements are properly summed up as his superior’s note, “he is the finest example of a ‘First Class Petty Officer.’”
Roten serves as a NAS Whiting Field Patrolman for the Security Department. Her primary responsibilities include upholding NASWF and Department of the Navy rules and regulations in accordance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Department Head Lt. j.g. Daron Pettus noted of Roten, “Her ability to lead has been demonstrated while serving in combat and is beyond reproach.” Roten has earned her Expeditionary Warfare Specialist insignia earlier this year.
In regard to improvement and development of her juniors, Roten’s most notable achievement was acting as a Force Protection Squad Leader. During that time, she expertly supervised 20 US and Afghan security personnel, which subsequently contributed to the safety and security of over 320 coalition force members.
Roten’s other professional responsibilities include Department Vehicle Custodian, Deputy Armorer, Field Training Officer, and Anti-Terrorism Training Team member. She was also an Afghanistan local community liaison, Pensacola First Baptist Church member, and was awarded the NATO Service Medal for services in the International Security Forces for Afghanistan, among many other accolades.
Miller, this base’s Blue Jacket of the Quarter winner, surpasses the criteria for such an award. Her primary responsibility is Flight Planning Supervisor (ground and data controller), which includes leading and training up to three personnel at any time. Among her most outstanding achievements is serving as her command’s Sexual Assault Prevention Representative (SAPR). Her Leading Chief Petty Officer, Air Traffic Controller Senior Chief Trevor Rowe, proudly emphasized that “[she] serves as the junior most Sailor in that capacity!”
Miller’s collateral duties include SAPR Victim Advocate, Assistant Historian, and Assistant Training Petty Officer (Blue Crew). Miller, however, finds ways to be just as busy in the community as she does as an air traffic controller. She has over 80 hours as a Girl Scout Troop Assistant in Navarre, 10 hours with the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, is on the Command Assessment Team, and Captain’s Cup Softball team.
Division Officer Lt. Chris Mitchell stated that Miller is “the perfect example of what a Blue Jacket of the Quarter should be.”
Each award recipient was judged to be representative of the base’s top enlisted performers, personnel who are best to emulate. Sailor of the Quarter is reserved for the best enlisted rank of E-6; Junior Sailor of the Quarter is awarded to the top E-5; and Blue Jacket of the Quarter includes Sailors of ranks E-1 through E-4. These members are automatic qualifiers to be entered in the Navy-wide search for Sailor, Junior Sailor, and Blue Jacket of the Year selections.
The selective process for these positions is highly competitive, as these professionals represent the best in their fields of work. NAS Whiting Field Command Master Chief Rafael Rosado stated, “While all could not win, the command was extremely pleased with the competition… Bravo Zulu to all.”
Posted by North Santa Rosa
on Nov 9 2011. Filed under Military.
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