www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, June 13, 2024 1
IN THIS ISSUE
Naval Air Station Oceana hosts Project SEARCH graduation
This marks the third year the Navy has hosted this innovative program, which connects high school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to internships and on-the-job training. PAGE A2 VOL. 32, NO. 22, Norfolk, Va. | flagshipnews.com
June 13-June 19, 2024
NORFOLK, Va. (June 6, 2024) Vice Adm. Robert Gaucher, commander, Submarine Force Atlantic, and Force Master Chief Neil Ford, Submarine Force Atlantic, present the Navy and Marine Corps commendation medal to Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Ariel Macon during the 2024 USFFC Sailor of the Year announcement dinner, June 6th 2024. The dinner is the culmination of a weeklong series of events that concludes with the announcement of the 2023 sea and shore Sailors of the Year. Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year will be meritoriously advanced to chief petty officer. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 1ST CLASS EVAN THOMPSON/RELEASED)
Fleet Forces announces 2023 Sailors of the Year By Chief Petty Officer Matthew Jackson
Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command
NORFOLK - Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) Command, announced the 2023 USFF and Type Command (TYCOM) Fleet Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year (SOY), June 6 at the seaside Marriot Hotel in Norfolk. Adm. Daryl L. Caudle named Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (FMF/SW/AW) Sara Freeman, assigned to 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, as the 2023 Sea SOY, and Hull Technician 1st Class (SW) Tom Hodge — PCU John Basilone (DDG 122), as the 2023 Shore SOY. “It is incredible to see the entire Hampton Roads community gathered here tonight — and it’s even more special since we are joined together here with our families, friends, tremendous leaders, and mentors from across the waterfront, all gathered to recognize some of the Navy’s Top Talent! This is truly the best part of my job as Fleet Forces Commander,” said Caudle. “I would also like to extend my personal thanks and sincere appreciation to all whom so graciously supported this incredibly important week.” This year Caudle hosted approximately
50 SOY candidates from commands around the fleet during the week-long schedule of events. SOY candidates spent the week in Norfolk with spouses and mentors participating in leadership, heritage, and team building events. They also completed the oral board component of the selection process. Of the 50 candidates for SOY, 10 were selected as finalists. “These ten Sailors were hand-selected from the 125,000 Sailors under my charge as U.S. Fleet Forces Command. No pressure, but I can’t wait to see what you can accomplish while wearing Khakis,” Caudle said. “This week, I was fortunate to be able to spend some time getting to know each of them, and many of their families, and I can tell you from first-hand experience, these sea and shore Sailors are undoubtedly the best of the best — hands down, no exceptions.” The gravity of the moment made an impression on candidates, finalists, and SOY selectees. “It’s surreal and extremely humbling,” said Freeman. “I am a direct reflection of my leadership, peers, juniors and I am proud to represent U.S. Fleet Forces, Marine Corps Force Command and all Sailors fleet wide.” The SOY program recognizes the best
Sailors throughout the fleet and awards the selectees with meritorious advancement to Chief Petty Officer. “These programs are essential for Sailor morale. Recognition is one of the basic things that leadership can and should do,” said Freeman. “These programs let Sailors know their hard work does not go unseen and that they are doing great things for their teammates, commands, and the Navy.” The SOY program, established in 1972 by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Whittet, recognizes high-performing E-4 through E-6 Sailors across the fleet. The intent of the competition is to recognize individual Sailors who best represent the ideals of the professional Sailor and the Navy. Initially only Atlantic and Pacific Fleet Sailors on sea duty were recognized. Within 10 years, however, the SOY program was expanded to include shore duty and Navy Reserve Sailors. Finalists for Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year: HM1 (FMF/SW/AW) Sara A. Freeman — 8th Engineer Support Battalion (BSB), 2nd Marine Logistics Group (MLG), MARFORCOM. AO1 (AW/SW) Cody A. Martin — Navy
Munitions Command Atlantic (NMCLANT) Detachment Bahrain, NMCLANT. YN1 (SW/AW) Sammy A. Young Jr. — USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) Medical Treatment Facility, MSC. CS1 (SW/AW) Michelle G. Miller — Commander, Carrier Strike Group FOUR (CSG-4), CTF 80. FC1 (SW) Crystal Saucedo — Commander, U.S. SIXTH Fleet, Maritime Component Command, Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles Detachment, NAVEUR/NAVAF. Finalists for Fleet Shore Sailor of the Year: HT1 (SW) Tom K. Hodge — PCU John Basilone (DDG 122), SURFLANT. CTT1 (SW) Kaitlyn E. Williams — Commander, U.S. SECOND Fleet, USFF DRA. ND1 (DWS/EXW) Thomas G. Liddy — Naval Submarine Support Facility (NSSF) New London, SUBLANT. PR1 (AW) Steven J. Terry — Commander, Fleet Air Sigonella Detachment Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachment (AIMD), AIRLANT. HM1 (FMF) Efrain M. Barrera — Field Medical Training Battalion — East (FMTBE), MARFORCOM.
Navigating smooth transitions through the Navy’s Relocation Assistance Program By Ninoshka Basantes
Public Affairs Specialist Navy Region Mid-Atlantic
NORFOLK, Va. — The Navy’s Relocation Assistance Program (RAP) is a mission-essential service dedicated to supporting Sailors and their families during the often-challenging period of a permanent change of station (PCS) move. Frequent relocations are a common aspect of military life, and RAP aims to mitigate the associated stress by structuring its services to make the relocation process as smooth and efficient as possible. “Relocating to a new permanent duty station can be stressful, but Sailors and their families don’t have to do it alone,” said Douglas Morfeld, regional work and family life coordinator for FFSC. “All Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC) in Hampton Roads, Virginia, have relocation providers that offer ‘Smooth Move’ and ‘Moving Overseas’ work-
shops to assist Sailors with their PCS moves.” RAP offers a comprehensive suite of resources to those undergoing a move. Among these are one-on-one counseling sessions and a variety of classes that cover essential topics such as home buying, renting, and relocating outside the continental United States. “Fleet and Family Support can alleviate your stress and guide you through the application process, and entitlements to prepare you for your PCS, separation, or retirement,” said Kimberly Bowen, Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads FFSC relocation services provider. The program is designed to support Sailors and their families before departure and upon arrival at their new duty station. This dual-phase approach ensures that comprehensive assistance is available throughout the entire relocation process. One notable feature of RAP is the sponsorship program;
it connects relocating Sailors and their families with command sponsors from their new duty station. “I highly encourage Sailors — once they receive their orders and right before they execute their PCS move — to contact their command and request their sponsor point of contact information, if not already provided, to help support an easy transition to their new duty station,” said Morfeld. Beyond immediate relocation needs, RAP serves as a valuable resource for base and area information, both for newcomers and those making their preparations to depart. RAP maintains an extensive electronic resource library, which includes military relocation books, brochures, preparation tips, and information on military installations. This library is a vital resource for families, providing all the information they need to plan their move, such as tips on relocating pets, local schools, and health care
services. The program’s educational efforts also extend to financial savings. By educating members about the entire PCS process, and making them aware of all PCS and travel money entitlements, RAP has a proven track record of savings for service members The program has significantly streamlined the transition process. By offering a wide range of services and resources, RAP ensures that the move to a new duty station is as seamless as possible, allowing service members to focus on their duties and families to settle into their new homes with minimal stress. To find more information on the Relocation Assistance Program, contact your local FFSC or visit the Military One Source Plan My Move website https://www.militaryonesource.mil/resources/network/planmy-move/.
It’s been the privilege of a lifetime: Leadership of Tactical Training Group Atlantic changes hands Capt. James A. Quaresimo relieved Capt. Sean R. Anderson as commanding officer of Tactical Training Group Atlantic during a ceremony at Carrier Strike Group 4’s historic headquarters building, June 7. PAGE A3
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