Service members recognized by Santa Rosa Navy League

The Santa Rosa County Council of the Navy League held a banquet to recognize the 2010 Sailors and Instructors of the Year as well as the various command Ombudsmen.  The Jan. 22 event was held at Naval Air Station Whiting Field's Sikes Hall.

The Ombudsmen, Sailors, and instructors received their recognition individually after their commanding officers detailed their many contributions to the commands. The guest speaker, retired Master Chief Mike Smiley, explained the history of the award and why it is important to recognize the achievements of the recipients.

“The Sailor of the Year is the best representative of the command. The Instructor of the Year exemplifies the core values of the military and is a real force multiplier,” Smiley stated. “And the Ombudsmen provide a better communication between the command and families. They are advocates for the long time suffering families out there.”

The Ombudsmen from NAS Whiting Field were presented with a floral arrangement. The ombudsmen included: Rebecca Rowe, NAS Whiting Field; Jamie Christian, Training Squadron TWO; Ami Ehlenberger, Training Squadron THREE; Ellison Espinosa, Training Squadron SIX; Sabrina Shareef, Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHT; Heidi Swarthout, Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHTEEN; and Kelly Bennefeld, Helicopter Training Squadron TWENTY EIGHT.

The Sailors of the Year were presented a certificate, $100 savings bond from Pen Air Federal Credit Union and a $100 scholarship to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. The winners of this award include Seaman Gary Jones, NAS Whiting Field Bluejacket of the Year; Petty Officer 1st Class Leonardo Treggi, NAS Whiting Field Junior Sailor of the Year; Petty Officer 1st Class Aritha Gregory, NAS Whiting Field Senior Sailor of the year; Petty Officer 1st Class Tabriz Ommanney, HT-8; Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Kitts, HT-18; Petty Officer 2nd Class Roberto Alvarez, HT-28; Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeremy Moore, Naval Branch Health Clinic Bluejacket of the Year; Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Myers, Naval Branch Clinic Junior Sailor of the Year; and Petty Officer 1st Class Pamela Jenkins, Naval Branch Clinic Senior Sailor of the Year.

The Instructors of the Year were presented with a certificate. The recipients of this award were Lt. Mariusz Drozdowski, VT-2; Capt. Christopher Gordon, USMC, VT-3; Lt. Jared Tharp, VT-6; Lt. John Skinner, HT-8; Capt. Dennis Wait, USMC, HT-18; Lt. Scott Purcell, HT-28; and Lt. Cmdr. Will Christian, Training Air Wing FIVE Reserve Component.

Those receiving this recognition will be known in their commands as someone to look up to or to aspire to emulate.

“We put them on a pedestal and expect them to be role models and leaders,” Smiley commented. “They still have some learning to do, but they are going to have some good experiences.”