Seven commands were recognized for community service excellence, Dec. 15, as Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) announced the Health, Safety, and Fitness Flagship Awards for calendar year 2016.

The Health, Safety and Fitness Awards are managed by NETC as the flag sponsor, and executed by the Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC). Winners are recognized for having the best overall community service programs, teaching and encouraging individuals, especially youth, to lead active lives.

"The Navy's Health, Safety and Fitness Flagship Award program promotes healthy and fit lifestyles through command partnerships with schools and communities," said Capt. Lee Newton, NETPDC commanding officer. "Every day, thousands of Sailors are out in the community, around the world, helping to educate and set a good example for kids."

Part of the overall Navy Community Service Program (NCSP), the Health, Safety and Fitness Flagship Awards highlight Navy volunteers who visit schools and neighborhoods to share information and give practical training that focuses on nutrition, hygiene, mental health, disease prevention, leisure skills development, personal safety, drug demand reduction, sports and recreation.

Examples of command-sponsored health, safety and fitness events are the Special Olympics, the Great American Smokeout, safety and health fairs, and the President's Award on Physical Fitness and Sports.

According to Rear Adm. Mike White, NETC commander, commands devoting the time to improving health, safety and fitness in the community are sowing the seeds of great rewards.

"The commands that participated in the Health Safety and Fitness Flagship Awards program have my sincere appreciation for their commitment and support of our Navy's Community Service Program," said White. "The winners are outstanding examples of positive leadership making a significant difference in the quality of lives they touch."

The 2016 Health, Safety and Fitness Flagship Award winners by category are:

Shore Command Category:
-Small: Naval Aviation Schools Command, Pensacola, Florida
-Medium: Navy Medicine Professional Development Center, Bethesda, Maryland
-Large: Navy Information Operations Command, Honolulu, Hawaii

Overseas Category:
-Small: Navy Munitions Command East Asia Division Unit, Guam

Sea Category:
-Medium: USS New York (LPD 21)
-Large: U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3, Port Hueneme, California

Honorable mention include:
-Large Shore Command: Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland

The NCSP was launched in 1992 by then-Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Frank B. Kelso, with the goal of fostering and nurturing community ties with the Navy and promoting volunteerism while developing better naval leaders through experience in the program.

NCSP consists of five flagship award categories, including the Health, Safety, and Fitness Flagship, Personal Excellence Partnership Flagship, Project Good Neighbor Flagship, Campaign Drug Free Flagship and Environmental Stewardship Flagship. A separate Navy command sponsors and administers each flagship category.

In addition to executing the Health, Safety and Fitness Flagship Award, NETPDC provides products and services that enable and enhance education, training, career development and personnel advancement throughout the Navy. Primary elements of the command include the Voluntary Education Department, the Navy Advancement Center and the Resources Management Department. Additional information about the Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center can be found via: https://www.netc.navy.mil/netc/netpdc/Default.htm .

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