WASHINGTON -- The 2014 Navy Reserve Sailor of the Year (RSOY) was announced during a ceremony at the United States Navy Memorial, April 16.
Construction Mechanic 1st Class (SCW/EXW) Jimie Bartholomew, assigned to Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 25, was announced as the RSOY during the ceremony by Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Robin R. Braun.
Bartholomew was selected out of five finalists including Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Steven Flemming, assigned to 1st Battalion 23rd Marines, Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class Ansel Glendenning, assigned to Navy Reserve Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 61, Gunner's Mate 1st Class Jessica Harrison, assigned to Navy Operational Support Center Greenville, South Carolina and Machinist's Mate 1st Class Keith Wright, assigned to Surgemain Nashville.
According to Braun, all five candidates are leaders and represent the finest Sailors in the Reserves.
"You only need to talk to these Sailors for a few minutes to understand why out of the approximately 10,000 first class petty officers in the Navy Reserve they were the fantastic five that were chosen to represent the Navy Reserve," said Braun. "What they have accomplished by making it this far is remarkable. They have come a long way."
Navy Reserve Force Master Chief C.J. Mitchell also praised the finalist's accomplishments.
"Finalists, you are the Sailors I brag about," said Mitchell. "You have heard it all week. You are all winners and I am proud to be your force master chief."
The candidates were praised for not only their Navy accomplishments but also for the other half of their lives as Reserve Sailors.
"These Sailors are indicative of and representative of the outstanding Sailors we have in the Reserves. They have volunteered and mobilized and gone forward. They have families and have civilian jobs such as teacher, firefighter, benefits auditor and railroad conductor. They are students and college graduates and they volunteer in their community. Most importantly they are Sailor leaders," said Mitchell.
When the winner was announced during the ceremony Bartholomew was shocked. "When they said 'CM1,' I thought 'No way,'" said Bartholomew.
He also mirrored Braun and Mitchell's praise for the other nominees. "What an outstanding group, it's an honor to be anywhere associated with these Sailors," he said. "It is very humbling."
Each Sailor received a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during the ceremony. In May, Bartholomew will return to Washington for the Chief of Naval Operations Sailor of the Year week hosted by the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy where Bartholomew will be meritoriously advanced to chief petty officer.
The ceremony was the ending to a week of events in the capitol region including tours of the Pentagon, White House, Capitol Building, United States Navy Memorial and Navy History Museum as well as numerous visits and meetings with Navy leadership.
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Jack Whittet initiated the Sailor of the Year program in 1972 to recognize outstanding Atlantic and Pacific Fleet Sailors. The program was later expanded to honor the top Shore and Reserve Force Sailors of the Year.
For more news from Commander, Navy Reserve Force, visit www.navy.mil/local/nrf/.
Date Taken: | 04.16.2015 |
Date Posted: | 04.20.2015 21:36 |
Story ID: | 160637 |
Location: | DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
Web Views: | 667 |
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