(Photo by Rick Naystatt)
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) announced the 2017 Sailor of the Year (SOY) selectee during a brief ceremony on Feb. 2.
Logistics Specialist First Class (LS1) John Myers, a Miami native, assigned to SPAWAR Systems Center (SSC) Atlantic, was selected with three other sailors as the SPAWAR Sailor of the Year (SOY) for his noteworthy role as leading petty officer for the Naval Tactical Command Support System. He currently leads seven sailors in the troubleshooting, testing and installation of Relational Supply (R-Supply) systems for ship and shore commands.
Rear Adm. Christian “Boris” Becker congratulated all three Sailors for their dedication and hard work.
“We see in front of us today three of the finest examples of the American Sailor,” Adm. Becker said. “If we go back to our heritage; if we go back to the start of our Navy and we look at what made a difference at sea and at shore, fighting at home, near home and far from home, on the shores of distant places — it was the American Sailor who made the difference. That’s been true for 247 years and it stands true today. The American Sailor powers our Navy.”
Myers expressed his gratitude for the recognition and shared a special thanks to all his mentors throughout the SOY process.
“I am very thankful to have been acknowledged,” Myers said. “I have been driven by my mentors. The chiefs and senior chiefs who stepped up encouraged me to succeed. I’m grateful.”
Following his selection as SPAWAR SOY, Myers now will compete at the Chief of Naval Operations level in Washington, DC.
“Leading up to today’s ceremony, the Sailors participated in leadership discussions, team-building events and historical tours around the San Diego area, including on board the USS Midway Museum,” said SPAWAR’s Command Master Chief Pablo Cintron. “The competition for the SPAWAR Sailor of the Year title was exceptional and I am extremely proud of the Sailors representing our command in the fleet. Well done shipmates!”
SPAWAR identifies, develops, delivers and sustains information warfighting capabilities supporting naval, joint, coalition and other national missions. SPAWAR consists of more than 10,000 active duty military and civil service professionals located around the world and close to the fleet to keep SPAWAR at the forefront of research, engineering and acquisition to provide and sustain information warfare capabilities to the fleet.
