Chief of Naval Personnel Announces 2012 MPT&E Sailor of the Year

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Personnel announced Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education (MPT&E) 2012 Sailor of the Year (SOY) during an award ceremony at Naval Support Facility Arlington March 7.

Vice Adm. Scott R. Van Buskirk named Aviation Electronics Technicians 1st Class (AW/NAC) Adam Gladding, a Recruit Division Commander (RDC) at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill, as the 2012 MPT&E SOY.

Gladding, a native of Parishville, N.Y., was the representative of Naval Service Training Command (NETC) and was chosen from nearly 40,000 Sailors throughout the MPT&E domain.

"Hard work and perseverance, dedication to your duties and to your fellow shipmates; this is why you are standing here before us now," said Van Buskirk.

In addition to Gladding, nominees for MPT&E SOY included Electrician's Mate 1st Class (SS) Daniel Macomber of Navy Recruiting District (NRD) New England representing Commander Navy Recruiting Command (CNRC) and Aviation Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (AW/SW) Andre Thercy of Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston representing Navy Personnel Command (NPC).

"There are a lot of Sailors doing great work for our Navy and once you get to this level in the competition, there is very little that separates the competition," said Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education Fleet Master Chief April Beldo. "I know our Navy is in great hands with leaders like Petty Officer Gladding, Thercy, and Macomber."

During the ceremony, Gladding credited his two years as an RDC as a large part of his success. "The majority of this honor goes to the recruits I have trained," said Gladding. "They inspire me to motivate them and to want to succeed that much more in life."

Gladding also credited another important person with shaping his professionalism and leadership abilities - his mother.

"How she raised three boys, while working and going to college at the same time still amazes me to this day," said Gladding. "If it wasn't for her instilling the motivation, standards, dedication, and morals I have, I wouldn't be half the person I am today."

Gladding will compete in the Chief of Naval Operations Shore Sailor of the Year competition in April. The Sailor selected as the winner of the CNO Shore Sailor of the Year will be meritoriously promoted to chief petty officer.

For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnp/.