Photo By Chief Petty Officer Ian Cotter | YOKOSUKA, Japan (November 23, 2020) – Master-at-Arms 1st Class Tracy Shaw poses for...... read more read more
YOKOSUKA, Japan (March 30, 2021) – When Master-at-Arms 1st Class Tracy Shaw joined the Navy from Iverness, Fla. in 2002, she never imagined that she would become the Commander, Navy Region Japan (CNRJ) Sailor Of the Year. Today, she holds that honor as the region’s 2020 selection, and prepares for her next step in the Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Sailor of the Year process.
“I grew up quiet and shy, and came in as a Signalman,” said Shaw. “Over the years, the Navy has broken me out of my shell.”
Eighteen years later, Shaw leads the training division within Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka’s (CFAY) security department and is the leading petty officer in charge of emergency response training and maintaining incident command post training. Shaw also serves as the treasurer of the installation’s First Class Petty Officer Association. In 2020, she was selected as CFAY’s Sailor of the Year.
“I was awarded the highest EP [early promote enlisted evaluation designation], and here at CFAY, the number one EP is awarded Sailor of the Year,” she explained.
After becoming CFAY’s 2020 Sailor of the Year, Shaw began working toward the next big step: Commander, Navy Region Japan Sailor of the Year.
“In security, I’m usually on the other side of the board table,” said Shaw. “In preparation for the CNRJ board, I did mock boards with my section chiefs, and several boards with the chiefs mess.”
Shaw received hours of training for sitting boards with members of CFAY’s chiefs mess and even sat in on the Quarter 1 Sailor of the Quarter boards to gain further perspective in regard to what she was preparing for. On Feb. 18, 2021, Shaw sat down for the CNRJ Sailor of the Year board.
“The board was held virtually, due to COVID-19,” said Shaw. “All of the board members were regional command master chiefs, and the board went by very fast. Being surrounded by all of that leadership was an experience.”
Shaw also explained what kinds of topics were discussed in the board. “I was candid; I gave them me,” she said.
After becoming board-eligible for this year’s upcoming Navy-wide chief petty officer selection board, Shaw’s next step will be to fly to Washington, D.C. to compete at the CNIC-wide level.
“It will give me a platform; a chance to speak with CNIC about their forward-deployed Naval forces,” explained Shaw. “I never saw myself going this far, and my Sailors are the reason. My peers have been so supportive, and my leaders have given me so much guidance. I enjoy being a voice for my Sailors, which stems from me having such amazing parents. I’ve been ‘Mama Shaw’ to countless Sailors, and my own mom still sends me care packages.”
Shaw explained that her biggest motivator has been her 12-year-old son, Christian.
“He’s traveled the world with me,” she said. “He helps me become a better, more relatable leader. Having him has allowed me to advise other parents on how to navigate the Navy as a parent.”
Once the Navy releases a schedule for the upcoming CNIC Sailor of the Year boards, Shaw will go to the nation’s Capitol to compete. If she is selected as CNIC’s Sailor of the Year, Shaw will be meritoriously advance to the rank of chief petty officer.
For more than 75 years, CFAY has provided, maintained and operated base facilities and services in support of the U.S. 7th Fleet’s forward-deployed naval forces, tenant commands, and thousands of military civilian personnel and their families.
| Date Taken: | 03.30.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.03.2021 20:04 |
| Story ID: | 395505 |
| Location: | YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 255 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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