Springtime in D.C. brings visitors from across the country to take in the sights. The cherry blossoms in bloom, the artifacts of the Smithsonian, and the monuments draw countless sightseers every year. But in May, 2025, five visitors quietly came to the nation’s capital for a different reason – to represent the U.S. Navy Reserve; among them was the Navy Reserve’s 2024 Sailor of the Year (RSOY).

The Reserve Sailor of the RSOY program is the highest individual honor a Reserve Sailor can earn outside of combat. Selection is based on sustained superior performance, community impact, and embodiment of Navy core values. The finalists being considered for this momentous achievement represent the best that the Navy Reserve has to offer, and run the gamut of ratings and skill sets across the Navy. They are:

• Electronics Technician First Class (IW/SW/AW) Makayla P. Burgan, NAVWAR CYBER MID

• Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (FMF) Daniel A. Garcia, 4th Marine Logistics Group

• Builder First Class (SCW/EXW) Matthew D. Pratt, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14

• Air Traffic Controller First Class (AW/SW/IW) Stephanie Y. Ramirez, Navy Reserve Tactical Air Control Squadron 22

• IS1(IW/SW/AW) Adam M. Traub, NR Commander, Naval Information Warfare Unit Reserve Norfolk

“Whether in cyber, medicine, construction, air control, or intel, these Reservists surge into the fight, ready on Day One, and continuously raise the bar,” said Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, Chief of Navy Reserve. “That is the power of our Total Force—and why our adversaries will never succeed. Each finalist has been selected because they have consistently displayed decisive leadership under pressure, deep technical mastery, specialized qualifications beyond requirements, relentless commitment to professional growth, and an impeccable bearing that earns trust from the deckplates to the watch floor to the ready room.”

The finalists are brought together to face a board of members of the Navy Reserve’s leadership to gauge the candidates knowledge, bearing and professionalism. It can be an – understandably – daunting, but inspiring, process.

“It’s awesome, a very humbling experience,” said Pratt. “I’ve learned a lot getting to be here with my fellow first classes, getting to know the senior chiefs and master chiefs, talking to Fleet Forces. I had a lot of mentors who put me in a lot of uncomfortable positions to either make or break me and here I am. Just a lot of support building the foundation to get here.”

The arduous selection process is offset by friendly meetings with Navy Reserve leadership and mentoring sessions, which the finalists are looking forward to bringing back to their Sailors and commands.

“I’m definitely looking forward to bringing back everything that I’ve learned, especially the ‘why,’ the bigger picture of how everything works at the unit level,” said Ramirez. “Out here you have these very important people who do very important work, and it’s interesting to see it from their perspective.”

Also included are tours of sites around D.C. that highlight the history and heritage of the country and its Navy such as the National Archives, the U.S. Navy Museum, the Navy Memorial, and various war memorials throughout the National Mall allow the RSOY finalists to absorb the gravity of their unique positions in the world’s finest Navy by getting face-to-face with artifacts such as original copies of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.

No matter who walks away from the week as the Reserve Sailor of the Year 2024, all are enriched by the experience.

“It’s a blessing,” added Ramirez. “It’s an honor, it’s great to be here.”

The Navy Reserve provides roughly 20 percent of the Navy’s end strength and delivers specialized skills like cyber, medical, and logistics that are costly to replicate on active duty and are represented by the 2024 RSOY finalists. The mission of the Reserves is to provide strategic depth and deliver operational capabilities to the Navy and Marine Corps team and Joint forces, in times of peace or war. It is focused unambiguously on warfighting readiness. The Navy Reserve generates the combat power and critical strategic depth the Navy requires to prevail in conflict in an era of strategic competition.