Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Iain Page | Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Payton Williams, a current Navy Reservist and a...... read more read more
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Payton Williams, a Selected Reserve Sailor from High Ridge, Missouri, was recently named the 2024 Non-Rated Command Career Counselor of the Year by Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command Fort Worth.
Born at Naval Medical Center San Diego, Williams grew up in High Ridge, Mo. alongside two younger sisters—one now a freshman at Oklahoma City University and the other a senior at Timberland High School. After graduating from Northwest High School, Williams enlisted in the Navy in 2018 and has served for seven years. She currently resides in Lake St. Louis, Mo., while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business, with plans to continue her education and eventually return to active duty.
“I wanted to travel and experience life outside of my hometown,” said Williams, recalling why she joined the Navy. “I’m a religious program specialist, and this job is important because it takes a different type of mentality to help others carry their burdens. I ensure service members, retirees and their families feel mentally at peace—able to set aside their stressors and find hope.”
Williams’ professional journey began at Navy Medical Readiness Training Command Balboa Hospital, where she volunteered to manage the Medical Inspector General program within her department and oversaw multiple successful religious ministry inspections. She also worked alongside the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program and OASIS teams at Point Loma, Calif., as well as the Wounded Warriors at Balboa, helping them prepare to return to their units. In 2020, she volunteered to deploy aboard the USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), supporting the COVID-19 response as the Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 Religious Program Specialist and leading her division as the leading petty officer.
In 2022, Williams transferred to the Navy Reserve to focus on her education. Despite her new status as a Reservist, she continued to excel, taking on responsibilities as a command career counselor in addition to her regular drilling obligations at Navy Reserve Center (NRC) St. Louis. Her efforts were recently recognized when she was named the Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command Fort Worth 2024 Non-Rated Command Career Counselor of the Year.
“Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Williams exemplifies dedication and selflessness in her service,” said Cmdr. Chad Rorstrom, commanding officer, NRC St. Louis. “Whether supporting the faith and spiritual programs of the Navy and Marine Corps or serving as a career counselor, she consistently goes above and beyond to help others. In addition to the standard training that all reservists complete—one weekend a month and two weeks a year—career counselors like RP2 Williams undergo an additional three weeks of specialized training to qualify for their roles. The challenges of navigating a reserve career are made manageable thanks to the expertise of such trained individuals, and I am proud to say that a Sailor from Navy Reserve Center St. Louis was named the 2024 Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command Fort Worth Reserve Career Counselor of the Year.”
Williams also credits her father, a former boatswain’s mate, for providing unwavering support during her Navy journey. “I owe a lot of my accomplishments to him,” she said. “I used to listen to all his stories from when he was in the Navy, and now I get to tell him mine.” She added that her mother’s care packages and encouragement carried her through challenging deployments.
Though she is currently a full-time student, Williams hopes that her civilian education will enrich her Naval service. “As a warfighter, readiness means being mentally, physically and emotionally ready to mobilize at all times,” she said. “I can’t imagine not being a part of this organization. The Navy is something bigger than myself, my family and my friends—and I’m proud to serve in any capacity I’m called to fulfill.”
| Date Taken: | 03.10.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.17.2025 16:26 |
| Story ID: | 492531 |
| Location: | ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, US |
| Hometown: | HIGH RIDGE, MISSOURI, US |
| Web Views: | 33 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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