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Shipmate Contest Draws Huge Response, Enters Judging Phase
Story Number: NNS080109-09
1/9/2008

By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Melissa F. Weatherspoon, Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet public affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The "What Being a Shipmate Means to Me" writing contest to redefine the term "Shipmate" officially closed to submissions Dec. 31 with 745 entries sent in by active-duty and reserve Sailors, retirees, civilians and various other friends of the Navy.

The idea of the contest, which kicked off in mid-October, evolved from a senior leadership conference held days before in Pearl Harbor – a conference that focused on the quality of life, professional development and the diversity of today's Sailor.

The senior-enlisted quorum realized the traditional Navy term had lost some of its luster and had often taken on a negative connotation. U.S. Pacific Fleet Master Chief Tom Howard, the sponsor of the conference and the contest, believed it was time to revive the term and give today's Sailors a say in who they are and with whom they expect to serve. Navy leadership counts on camaraderie, teamwork and esprit de corps among their crews to ensure mission success, he explained, and shipmates relying on shipmates is the backbone to such accomplishment.

"It is our responsibility to our commanders and to our Navy to listen to our Sailors and to provide advice to Navy leadership," Howard said. "So, we thought, who better to define 'what being a Shipmate means' than our Sailors – our Sailors who are willing to sacrifice everything. In an all-volunteer force, it's the personal sacrifices of today's Sailors who make the decision every day to fight for freedom, defend our seas, and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need."

Contest guidelines required submissions of 75 words or less and of original, unpublished construction. In honor of the concept, the word "Shipmate" was capitalized. Beyond the rules, however, Howard and his fellow master chiefs, who would make up the judges panel, hoped Sailors' words would come from the heart and breathe new life into the word's meaning. The judges were more than pleasantly surprised.

"It was an honor to read the entries and see the heart and soul folks poured into each and every word," Howard said. "I am thoroughly convinced that our Sailors understand what it means to be a shipmate and what it is the word represents. I am proud to serve in this outstanding organization. What really surprised me, though, is that entrants were thanking me for giving them a voice to express their thoughts on serving in today's Navy with the finest Sailors in the world. How great is that?"

One Sailor from the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., who entered the contest not only thanked the judges for the opportunity to participate in the contest but also for the experience that has built upon this hospital corpsman's development as a Sailor.

"I'd like to send my sincere gratitude to you all for taking care of your SHIPMATES and creating an opportunity for ALL HANDS with the writing contest," the Sailor wrote. "It's been a great experience for me to improve my writing, to be a better Sailor, and learn more from other veterans, and to understand more meanings of this great family of ours – the BEST NAVY."

Another Sailor wrote in and thanked those involved with the contest, as it offered a medium through which he could tell the story of how one Sailor proved what it means to be a Shipmate following an IED attack that injured a fellow servicemember.

"Christmas Day 2005, NMCB 133 was in Fallujah, Iraq. It was the evening meal and a Marine (who) had been involved in an IED attack was being helped to his table by a local national. As the Marine sat down with two full arm casts, it was obvious he was unable to feed himself," the Navy Storekeeper wrote. "Marines, Soldiers and Sailors alike sat in awe as he struggled with his utensils. It was Marine Pride that wouldn't allow him to ask for help. Now my definition of the word SHIPMATE comes next; one of our Seabees noticed the prideful Marine and sat next to his side; picking up the Marine's utensils he let him know it's (okay) to ask for help, as he (proceeded to feed) him the evening meal."

The judges are currently reviewing the entries and are working toward narrowing the field to five. Once the top five have been identified, the Fleet will once again be looked upon to determine the new definition of the word "Shipmate." The top five will be viewable on the Pacific Fleet Web site, www.cpf.navy.mil. Voting will be done via e-mail to cpf.fleetfeedback@navy.mil.

Howard will announce the winner soon after. The winner will then be recognized personally by Howard and Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Adm. Robert F. Willard. The winning entry will also be published in All Hands magazine and posted on www.navy.mil as well as the U.S. Pacific Fleet Web site.

For more news from U.S. Pacific Fleet visit www.navy.mil/local/cpf/.