Photo By Chief Petty Officer Brian Morales | Naval Air Station Key West Commanding Officer Capt. Steve McAlearney, NAS Key West...... read more read more
KEY WEST, Fla. - Naval Air Station Key West announced its 2013 Civilian, Sailor, Junior Sailor and Blue Jacket of the Year during quarters, Nov. 15. Awardees were recognized by NAS Key West Commanding Officer Capt. Steve McAlearney at Boca Chica Field.
Former U.S. Coast Guard Yeoman 1st Class Tracy Ouzts was named the 2013 NAS Key West Civilian of the Year. A native of Portsmouth, N.H., Ouzts has been a Department of the Navy civilian employee since March 26, 2011.
“I was surprised to win such a prestigious award,” said Ouzts. “I think the two biggest challenges were the loss of good personnel which created a major manpower shortage and continuing administrative duties and responsibilities during the sequestration and furloughs.”
The Sailor of the Year is Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Kevin Buchanan. A native of Butler, Ala., Buchanan supervises junior air traffic controllers for air operations and coordinates diversity awareness celebrations as the Multicultural Heritage Committee president.
"I am deeply honored to be selected as NAS Key West's Sailor of the Year," said Buchanan. “To have the effort that I have invested in my career pay off with recognition of this magnitude is living proof that if you apply the Navy's Core Values to your personal and professional endeavors you will succeed.”
Buchanan awaits the results of his Navy Region Southeast Sailor of the Year nomination.
Another air traffic controller achieved similar success. AC2 Meghan Ray, from Kirkland, Wash., was recognized as the Junior Sailor of the Year. Reporting to NAS Key West November 2011, Ray took on duties directing air traffic, coordinating divisional training and processing correspondence for the Junior Enlisted Association.
"I want to inspire my colleagues and junior sailors by being an example of hard work with a ‘never give up’ attitude,” said Ray.
That common attitude would also prevail for fellow JEA member, Logistics Specialist Seaman Brittney Joseph. Having just completed her first year in the Navy, Joseph was selected as the 2013 NAS Key West Blue Jacket of the Year. The Houston native reported to NAS Key West on March 28, 2013, and is assigned to Port Operations department as the operational target funds manager, hazardous material coordinator, key custodian and departmental assistant command fitness leader.
“Receiving this award serves as a testimony of my first year in the Navy,” said Joseph. “There is not one day that I can say I didn't learn something new, not only about the Navy, but myself.”
Joseph’s long-term goal is admission into Officer Candidate School.
The annual awards program was established by the Chief of Naval Operations to recognize superior performance of personnel with emphasis on outstanding achievements, exemplary personal conduct and demonstrated initiative in the performance of duty.
| Date Taken: | 11.15.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.19.2013 15:05 |
| Story ID: | 117024 |
| Location: | KEY WEST, FLORIDA, US |
| Hometown: | BUTLER, ALABAMA, US |
| Hometown: | HOUSTON, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON, US |
| Hometown: | PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE, US |
| Web Views: | 252 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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