Naval Facilities Engineering Command Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (NAVFAC EURAFSWA) recently announced that two of their Sailors of the Year are from Naval Support Activity Bahrain!

Construction Electrician First Class Philip Salazar was named NAVFAC EURAFSWA Sailor of the Year and Construction Electrician Second Class Janrainier Sanjuan was awarded NAVFAC EURAFSWA Junior Sailor of the Year.

Salazar hails from Whittier, California, and joined the Navy in 1999. Among his many accolades, Salazar’s decorations include: the Seabee Combat Warfare Enlisted qualification and Enlisted Expeditionary Warfare qualification, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal and more.

“[I am] truly humbled. Being recognized as a sailor of the year against so many is just amazing. We have so many amazing sailors in the NAVFAC EURAFSWA region, it is truly an honor,” said Salazar. “I think the big thing with being recognized is it’s another step towards your personal growth. I think once you’re recognized you don’t just stop there. It’s a motivator. It puts you in a position of people having recognized your abilities and you have a new obligation to share your knowledge and help continue to grow your peers and junior sailors.”

Sanjuan, who is originally from Manila, Philippines, has been in the Navy for four years. He came to Bahrain in February 2017 and he has been excelling as the electrical shop supervisor. He also assumed the role of the command career counselor.

“It’s a privilege for me and a very high honor for me to be selected as a NAVFAC EURAFSWA award recipient,” said Sanjuan. “I appreciate all the hard work from my mentors and leadership for selecting me in the process. Being selected, I would post myself a role model for my peers and troops in a more positive way and use myself as a motivation for the younger guys to excel.”

Salazar and Sanjuan also had complimentary words for each other.

“[Sanjuan] came into the shop when there was a transition in leadership and he stepped up and took control of the department. He managed his workforce with a firm hand, but also provided guidance and mentorship to his sailors. I think that’s one of the reasons he has been so successful in his tour here,” Salazar said.

“For us working under [Salazar], we put a lot of effort under his leadership. We represent him on a lower level. So all of our success is his success because of his leadership level,” Sanjuan said.

According to its website, NAVFAC EURAFSWA manages facility project planning and design, including all related acquisition, construction, leasing, environmental, maintenance, and contingency support required by the Navy and Department of Defense commands where the Navy is designated as the lead agent in Europe, Southwest Asia, and the Gulf of Guinea, Africa, and the Horn of Africa. 

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For more news from Naval Support Activity Bahrain, visit www.navy.mil/.