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SUBLANT Recognizes 2012 Sailors of the Year
Story Number: NNS130306-11
3/6/2013

By Kevin Copeland, Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The 2012 Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic (SUBLANT) Senior and Junior Sailors of the Year (SOY) were announced, March 6.

The winners were recognized by Vice Adm. Michael Connor, commander, Submarine Force Atlantic, during a luncheon held at the Vista Point Center, Naval Station Norfolk.

"As the undersea arm of the Navy, our submarine community is a unique small force significantly impacting all maritime missions," said Connor.

"No successful force is without engaged Sailors fully focused in their roles as warfighters. Today, we are in the company of such Sailors - our sea and shore Sailors of the Year. These young Sailors have demonstrated the expertise, discipline, and initiative to become the decisive and capable leaders of our submarine force for the next decade or more. The submarine force is in good hands as it continues dominance of the undersea domain."

The 2012 SUBLANT Senior Sea Sailor of the Year was Machinist's Mate 1st Class (SS) William E. Cox, assigned to the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Montpelier (SSN 765), homeported in Norfolk, Va. The Denton, Texas native graduated from Ryan High School in May 2001, and joined the Navy in September 2001. He is also the Commander, Submarine Group 2 (CSG2) Senior Sea Sailor of the Year, headquartered in Groton, Conn.

"It is an honor to be selected," said Cox. "But the recognition is not just for me, it is also for my chain-of-command and my shipmates, as they were responsible in allowing me to make it this far. I never expected to receive this type of recognition, but the selection shows that hard work and maintaining high standards can yield great results. I appreciate the mentorship and leadership that my chain-of-command invested in me, and also the hard work from all my shipmates. Hopefully, this career milestone will help me in my pursuit of advancement to chief petty officer."

Machinist's Mate 1st Class (SS) Jared A. Leary was recognized as the 2012 SUBLANT Senior Shore Sailor of the Year. He is assigned to the Nuclear Regional Maintenance Department, New London, Conn. Born in New Orleans, the 27-year-old Sailor is a graduate of Kenwood High School in Clarksville, Tenn., and joined the Navy, April 27, 2004. He was also the CSG2 Senior Shore Sailor of the Year.

"This selection is the culmination of a significant amount of hard work by myself, friends, and family to ensure I maintained the excellence and highest level of professionalism," said Leary. "Without the experience and technical expertise of my shipmates, and without the trust, pride and honor instilled in me by my leadership, this recognition would not be possible. So this is not an individual award, but a recognition for a team of expert leaders and professional Sailors who allowed me to succeed through my career. The selection process has been incredibly humbling, as you find yourself surrounded by the best and brightest in your craft.

As the Senior Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year, Cox and Leary will represent SUBLANT in the Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) Sailor of the Year competition. The USFFC competition will be held later in March with other Atlantic Fleet type command winners. The Atlantic Fleet sea winner from that competition will be meritoriously advanced to chief petty officer, while the Atlantic Fleet shore winner will enter the Chief of Naval Operations competition in Washington, D.C

The 2012 SUBLANT Junior Sea Sailor of the Year was Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (SS) Nicholas G. Rucinski, and the 2012 SUBLANT Junior Shore Sailor of the Year was Electrician's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Austin M. Walters.

Rucinski is assigned to the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Alaska (SSBN 732) (Blue Crew), homeported in Kings Bay, Ga. Born in Greensboro, N.C., the 25-year-old Sailor is a 2006 graduate of Mansfield Summitt High School in Mansfield, Texas, and joined the Navy in March 2008. He was also the Commander, Submarine Group 10 (CSG10) Junior Sea Sailor of the Year, headquartered in Kings Bay, Ga.

"This whole experience was incredible," said Rucinski. "I could not have done it without the support and work ethic of my shipmates - they got me to where I am today. I have been privileged to be led by some great chiefs who believed in me and gave me the chance to lead. However, I am most happy for my wife to be present with me as it was her support that pushed every step of the way. I am grateful to be able to share this moment with her."

Walters is assigned to the TRIDENT Refit Facility in Kings Bay, Ga. A native of Pensacola, Fla., he is a 2000 graduate of Pensacola Catholic High School, and joined the Navy in April 2004. Walters was also CSG10 Junior Shore Sailor of the Year.

"I am really in awe and some shock having been selected from this group of excellent Sailors," said Walters. "It is a great accomplishment and a career accelerator for me, as I can use this as a springboard in making first class and chief. But I wouldn't be here without the support of my shipmates and civilian counterparts in my workshop. They have led me down the right path in giving the Navy 100 percent of my full potential and dedication."

Force Master Chief Kirk Saunders, SUBLANT force master chief, stated he was impressed with the military bearing, professionalism, and etiquette exhibited by this special group of enlisted submariners.

"Submariners comprise a small elite force providing even a larger contribution to the maritime security mission of our Navy team," said Saunders. "The SUBLANT Sailors who participated in this year's Sailor of the Year competition embody the warfighting spirit of all undersea warriors. During the last several days it has been an honor to meet them and their families. I am confident this group of young warriors will provide a foundation of strength that will enable the submarine force to continue our dominance of the undersea domain. They all have a very bright future."

The other candidates for Senior Sea Sailor and Senior Shore Sailor of the year were Yeoman 1st Class (SS) Derrick C. Scott and Sonar Technician (Submarines) 1st Class (SS) Jason B. Zirk, respectively.

Scott is assigned to the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) (Gold Crew), homeported in Kings Bay, Ga. The 36-year-old Sailor is from Columbus, Ohio, is a 1995 graduate of Mifflin High School and joined the Navy also in 1995. He was also the CSG10 Senior Sea Sailor of the Year.

Zirk is assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron Twenty in Kings Bay, Ga. A native of Blacksburg, Va., he first enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in June 1997 and completed a tour in Iraq before enlisting in the Navy in August 2005. He was also the CSG10 Senior Shore Sailor of the Year.

The other candidate for Junior Sea Sailor of the Year was Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (SS) Mark A. Frank, while Sonar Technician (Submarines) 2nd Class (SS) Antwan M. Haywood was the other Junior Shore Sailor of the year.

Frank is assigned to the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Springfield (SSN 761), homeported in Groton, Conn. Born in West Branch, Mich., the 23-year-old Sailor is a 2007 graduate of Cape Fear High School in Fayetteville, N.C., and joined the Navy, April 27, 2008. He was also the CSG2 Junior Sea Sailor of the Year.

Haywood assigned on the staff of Commander, Submarine Group 2, headquartered in Groton, Conn. The 27-year-old Sailor is a native of Stockton, Ca., graduating from Lincoln High School in June 2005 and enlisting in the Navy in July 2005. He was also CSG2 Junior Shore Sailor of the Year.

For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/sublant/.