They lead from the front, inspiring others to reach beyond their own potential. They instill a positive mindset, cultivating a healthy work environment through public praise and private discipline. They know how to bring individuals together, teaching them the sum is greater than its parts.

Senior Navy leaders pass on their knowledge accumulated over the years to ensure there is always someone ready to step up and take on a greater responsibility.

"I live by the golden rule," said Chief Cryptologic Technician (Networks) Sannita Boughter, a native of Columbus, Georgia, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). "It's something I tell people all the time. 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' I always treat people with the utmost respect. I think that has taken me a long way because when you treat people well and take care of them, they are inclined to do the same thing to you."

After 16 years and six duty stations, Boughter continues the Navy tradition of strong leadership through careful guidance.

"I've always preached a family atmosphere, no matter where you are in your career or your rank," said Boughter. "If you're in my department or division, we are brothers and sisters because we all put on our uniform the same way."

As with most things in life, her ability to lead and influence wasn't self-taught, but passed down from another great leader. Boughter's Aunt, Jacqueline Mapp; served for 27 years and retired as a Senior Chief Information Systems Technician. Mapp's highly successful career included serving as a Navy Recruiter, a Recruit Division Commander at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, and the Senior Enlisted Leader at King's Bay Submarine Base in Georgia. From a very early age, Boughter took an interest in her aunt's Naval career.

"I looked up to and emulated her, I actually named my first child after her," said Boughter. "She's played a pretty big part in my life. Even when I was a kid she took the time to mentor me and tell me things I should be doing in life. She made sure to keep me on the straight and narrow as much as she could."

Before Boughter had any aspirations of joining the Navy, she was enrolled in the Army ROTC. When her plans fell through, Mapp personally brought her in to a Navy recruiter to get her started on the right foot. As a previous recruiter, Mapp put all of Boughter's paperwork together and made sure she had everything she needed to get her going on the path to success.

Even after Boughter was well into her career, Mapp has kept up on her niece and ensured she is successful.

"I didn't even know it, but she would call and tell me she had been talking to people and checking up on me," said Boughter. "She was probably just calling chiefs and asking how her niece was doing."

Mapp has never stopped mentoring her. Every time they see each other or talk on the phone, she would ask Boughter about her career, what her next step is, and what her latest obstacles were.

Boughter's greatest obstacle is juggling her career and being a mother of two girls. She said that the only aspect that makes her family sacrifices worth it, is the Sailors she serves with.

"I missed out on my kids and being a mom, so it was a tug of war for me" said Boughter. "But I was able to make those sacrifices because of the people that I served with, who later became family. If it hadn't been for the people that I've met I would not be in the Navy now."

Boughter has been a Chief for only three years, but that doesn't mean she's not proficient in getting people to work together and prosper. She promotes a healthy environment for not only her junior female Sailors but all the sailors that work within her guidance.

"It's important to me that you are successful and the person next to you is successful, because we are all family," said Boughter. "Your success breeds other success and also happiness, and that's what I want for myself which means I want that for you."

She contributes to history by molding a future generation of strong female leaders in the Navy. In her time as a chief, Boughter has already had the opportunity to sponsor a new chief during training season.

"For a chief, it doesn't get any more intense than those six weeks. Having her thank me for her success after her granddad, a retired master chief, pinned her was a big deal to me," said Boughter.

This mentorship and leadership can be considered a driving force behind the success of the Navy. For a second-generation female chief like Boughter, and her predecessor Mapp, the success of their careers comes from the success of those serving under their guidance. The Navy prides itself on its creed, and these two women live it every day. They represent those who came before them and make the Navy a better organization because of it.

"My military family is what kept me in, and I want to take care of my sailors now and pay homage to those that took care of me and kept me in," said Boughter. "I want to turn around and give that back."

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