Three crew members and one former department head of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) and two pilots from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 were named winners of the 2015 Navy and Marine Association (NMA) Leadership Award Aug. 16. The NMA Leadership Award recognizes the most outstanding leaders within Commander, Naval Air Force's operational aviation commands and aboard aircraft carriers.

Ike's former Reactor Officer, Cmdr. Bradley Busch, Aircraft Handling Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Batiste, Personnel Officer, Lt. j.g. Gerardo Arbulu, 2nd Division Leading Chief Petty Officer, Chief Boatswain's Mate Idrissa Ndiaye, Lt. Brian Crosby, an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter pilot, training instructor, and weapons tactics instructor with the Swamp Foxes of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74, and Lt. William Revell, an F/A-18E Super Hornet pilot and the assistant operations officer with the Gunslingers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105, were selected for the award after being recognized by their peers as outstanding leaders in their respective communities.

When informed of their nomination, the recipients were humbled by the fact they were being praised for their commitment as leaders and acknowledged for all of their hard work.

"At first I was very overwhelmed and filled with joy," Batiste said. "Then I realized that the effort of the entire team's hard work and dedication had paid off. It's an honor and privilege to know that my peers aboard Ike realize my genuine concern to help everyone across all departments."

All of the recipients expressed similar gratitude at being acknowledged by the people they are underway with every day.

"It's very rewarding to know that the people you work with think highly of you," said Arbulu. "Every leader aboard Ike works very hard and shares the same sense of mission accomplishment."

When asked what it is that drives him to be successful, Batiste named his family and those he works alongside and leads.

"My wife and six children are my driving force to be successful, but Sailors throughout my career are who motivate me to be the best every day," said Batiste, who began his 28-year career as an E-1. "I want all Sailors to realize they have the same opportunities to excel. I want them to promote and continue to carry the success of Ike's great name. I constantly tell them that communicating with leaders early can lead to success, so don't wait."

Ndiaye was thrilled to be selected for the award and said he believes his pride in the Navy has always been the key motivator to giving his all on the job. The Senegal native demands that of himself and the people he leads because the chance to serve is one that should always be respected.

"First and foremost, I was humbled by my nomination, but I was also overjoyed at achieving this milestone," Ndiaye said. "The honor, privilege and opportunity to wear this uniform and serve this great nation drive me. For the people who work for me and with me, I want them to always demonstrate pride, professionalism and succeed in taking care of everyday responsibilities."

In addition to piloting an F/A-18E Super Hornet, Revell is also the assistant operations officer, in which capacity he manages the currency and readiness for the 17 strike fighter pilots of VFA-105. He stresses that successful leadership is realizing the results of your decisions do not occur in a vacuum.

"I think being a good leader means that whenever you're going to make a decision that's going to affect other people's lives, you have to ask yourself 'How would this affect me and how would I want this leader to make the best decision for all of his people?'" Revell said. "Try to take every decision you make or order you give and think how it's going to affect everybody."

Crosby, an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter pilot, is also the training instructor and weapons and tactics instructor for HSM-74, and was one of the first on the East Coast to work hands-on with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System II, a laser-guided, more accurate and cost effective system similar to the standard Hellfire missiles.

"It means a lot," said Crosby of the award. "My peers obviously think I'm doing a very good job. It's pretty humbling to be thought of highly and appreciated for what I do around the squadron."

The NMA sponsors over 400 awards given annually to Sailors assigned to Atlantic and Pacific Naval Air Forces, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Marine Forces, and both commissioned and enlisted personnel of the U.S. Naval Academy, from the ranks of Chief to Commander.



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