USS Theodore Roosevelt Sailor is 2012 Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year

Norfolk (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) Command announced the 2012 USFF Fleet Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year (SOY) during a luncheon ceremony, March 27, at the Sheraton Waterside in Norfolk.

Adm. Bill Gortney announced Electronics Technician 1st Class Cheyenne Shasky, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), as the respective USFF Sea Sailor of the Year.

Before announcing the winners, Gortney congratulated all the SOY candidates for their incredible work and leadership skills, not just throughout the year, but throughout the Sailors' career.

"It's a huge honor," said Rear Adm. Ted Branch, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic. "The seven [finalists] that were here were out of 52,000, so it's a great award."

"It is an amazing experience because just meeting a lot of people I would have never met before and being here with them taught me a lot," said Shasky. "They were the best of the best. Although I'm happy for myself, I wish that they would all be standing right here next to me."

Shasky said she was selected because of her leadership, support from her peers, and the followership of her Sailors.

"We could lead all day long, but if they didn't want to follow then we would not be where we are today," she said.

The USFF SOY program recognizes the best and brightest Sailors throughout USFF.

"I couldn't be prouder," said Master Chief Jack Callison, the Command Master Chief of Theodore Roosevelt. "It's a great accomplishment for her and her leadership within her department and the ship."

"She truly is a deck plate leader and a phenomenal leader aboard Theodore Roosevelt and throughout the Navy," said Callison.

Shasky will be meritoriously advanced to the rank of chief petty officer by the Chief of Naval Operations this May in Washington.

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