"Congratulations on your selection as CGC SEA DRAGON’s (WPB-87367) Sailor of the Year, Calendar Year 2021.

During this period, you stood out amongst your peers as you demonstrated vast knowledge and unwavering commitment towards unit qualifications, operational readiness, and personnel management.

Demonstrating superb operational judgement, you completed 35 escort missions providing 500 hours of dedicated force protection to United States Navy fleet ballistic missile submarines in direct support of the National Security Strategy.

In addition to the countless hours you dedicated to your own professional development, you led the training and mentorship of 11 members earning over 30 unit certifications and maximizing our operational readiness and flexibility. This dedication was not confined to the boundaries of our own unit as you routinely provided and coordinated training for other local Kings Bay units.

You championed adaptability and flexibility while managing the complex and ever-changing operational schedule by resourcing with our Navy counterparts. Your commitment to operations management proved valuable to this command as you balanced and allotted time necessary for training, maintenance, and administration while maximizing our operational availability in the midst of a global pandemic.

Routinely acting as Executive Petty Officer and Officer in Charge, your skills in departmental and personnel management was nothing short of astonishing for that of a First Class Petty Officer. Your knowledge, expertise, and judgement were instrumental while managing the unit’s $100K budget, the 11 attached members, and our assets’ operational status and availability while minimizing any impacts from personnel quarantine or isolation.

Your exceptional leadership and judgement were further validated by the Seventh District Commander as you earned your command afloat certification, increasing the Coast Guard’s candidate pool and overall readiness in enlisted command assignments.

Performing as conning officer during an inbound transit on February 27, 2021, you identified persons in the water near the Saint Mary’s Entrance Jetty from a capsized vessel. You swiftly established communications with a nearby dredge tender who was assisting on scene. Exhibiting expert ship handling skills, you maneuvered alongside the tender to recover all persons from the water and provide first aid.

Reaching further beyond the professional workplace, you sought after multiple opportunities to serve our community while sponsoring a local Girl Scout troop, coordinating highway clean-ups, and volunteering on job sites with the local Habitat for Humanity. This inspiring commitment continues to foster the Coast Guard’s outstanding relationship with the local community.