Expeditionary Strike Group 2 Names 2012 Staff Senior and Junior Sailor of the Year

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2, located at Joint Expeditionary Base, Little Creek,announced the selection of the Staff's senior and junior Sailor of the year (SOY) for 2012 this week.

Logistics Specialist 1st Class (SW) Igor Mendel and Information Systems Technician 2nd Class (EXW) Kayshonda London were selected as the senior and junior Sailor of the year, respectively.

Command leadership cited their leadership and commitment to excellence as the basis for selection.

As leading petty officer (LPO) for supply department, Mendel plays an instrumental role in ensuring all logistical tasks are met. He serves as a direct link to 21 tenant commands to ensure mission readiness.

Mendel expressed his appreciation for the title, "I am extremely grateful and appreciation that my chain of command has recognized me as senior Sailor of the year. It is a great honor and I could not be happier."

Supervisors praised Mendel for being a leader and team player who goes above and beyond to ensure the command is properly equipped and mission ready. His expansive knowledge and attention to detail are the credited drivers of his success.

"Petty Officer Mendel is an outstanding Sailor; he has participated in key events, Bold Alligator and BALTOPS 2012 to name a few, providing the command and staff with the support necessary for mission execution," said Cmdr. Maurice Meagher, ESG 2's supply officer. "He is an invaluable asset to this team and we couldn't be prouder of his selection as senior Sailor of the year."

In addition to his selection as SOY, Mendel has also recently been selected for Officer Candidate School.

ESG 2's junior Sailor of the year serves as the communications department's leading petty officer. In addition, this is the second consecutive year she has earned the title, junior Sailor of the year.

"Petty Officer London is an exceptional Sailor. She is a valuable asset to the ESG 2 team and has a wealth of technical knowledge, which she demonstrates daily," said Senior Chief Information Systems Technician Calvin Williams. "As N6 LPO, she is responsible for overseeing daily communications operations in addition to mentoring and developing junior Sailors. She is one of the finest Sailors I've served with in my 21 years of active duty service."

London plans to pursue her future goals of achieving the rank of petty officer 1st class, and earning a commission into the Navy Nurse Corps.

"The leadership and dedication of Petty Officers Mendel and London are outstanding examples for their subordinates and peers alike," said Master Chief Operations Specialist Joseph Zele. "That's why we have a Sailor of the Year Program: to publicly recognize Sailors who don't just do their job, but go the extra mile."

In addition to overseeing and managing the readiness of the amphibious fleet; ESG 2 is a joint, rapid and robust deployable staff, which supports the entire range of military operations from theatre security cooperation events, to major combat operations, to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, from the East Coast of the United States to the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf.

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