The top Navy recruiters of 2016 were recognized during Navy Recruiting Command's (NRC) Recruiter of the Year ceremony held at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington D.C., Feb. 1.

Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Robert Burke, Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Luke McCollum, Commander NRC Rear Adm. Jeffrey Hughes, and Force Master Chief Eddie Knight all participated in the event that was attended by flag officers and master chiefs from the National Capital Region.

"You were chosen for these awards not just because of your recruiting achievements, but because you represent the total Sailor concept," said Burke. "You represent everything we want in our Navy today."
Hughes expounded upon the qualities that make up a Navy recruiter.

"Navy recruiters truly embody our values and attributes, especially commitment, initiative and toughness as they brilliantly accomplish the demanding recruiting mission," said Commander NRC Rear Adm. Jeffrey Hughes.

Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Angel Davis, assigned to Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Jacksonville, believes her decision to become a recruiter was worth the challenge.

"I am very honored, humbled and feel very blessed to have been nominated and selected for this award," said Davis, Recruiter of the Year, Reserve. "I never thought that I would have come this far looking back on where I was and the obstacles that I have faced."

Also recognized at the awards ceremony was NRD San Francisco, NRC's Gold "R", District of the year. Cmdr. Joel Rodriguez, commanding officer, NRD San Francisco, was in attendance to receive the award on behalf of the command.

The ceremony was just one event during a week-long occasion held in our nation's capital city. The 14 awardees and their guests had the opportunity to visit the Pentagon and meet with senior Navy leadership including Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson, and Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Bill Moran.

Other 2016 winners include: Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Robert Steele, Enlisted Recruiter of the Year Active; Logistics Specialist 1st Class Cameron Garrett, Officer Recruiter of the Year, Active; Lt. j.g. Massimo Ongaro, Officer Recruiter of the Year, Reserve; Machinist Mate (Nuclear) 1st Class Luis Saucedo, Nuclear Field Coordinator of the Year; Operations Specialist 1st Class Jeremy Peterson, Station Leading Petty Officer of the Year; Chief Navy Counselor David Runyon, Division Leading Chief Petty Officer of the Year; Machinist Mate 1st Class Fang Chen, Diversity Enlisted Recruiter of the Year; Lt. Lennox Smith, Diversity Officer Recruiter of the Year; Information Specialist 1st Class Shelbie Cain, Medical Officer Recruiter of the Year; Lt. Siamack Jamshidipour, Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Recruiter of the Year; Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Nicholas Clark, Navy Special Warfare/Navy Special Operations Recruiter of the Year; Yeoman 1st Class Kevin Capelety, Support Person of the Year and Personnel Specialist 1st Class Wayne Lewis, Classifier of the Year.

For more news from Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, visit us on the web, www.navy.mil.facebook.com/NavyRecruiting; and on Twitter, @USNRecruiter.