Logistics Specialist First Class Claudette Rabajante was named as Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Sailor of the Year November 8 by Commander, NAVSUP and Chief of Supply Corps Rear Adm. Michelle Skubic.

Rabajante, previously chosen as the NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk Sailor of the Year, was recognized for her work as leading petty officer at Regional Navy Mail Center (RNMC) Norfolk, where she led 47 Sailors and civilian employees in processing more than six million pounds of mail and providing logistics support to 575 commands. 

“I can’t tell you how ecstatic I am to be chosen as the NAVSUP Sailor of the Year, to compete amongst eight other outstanding first class petty officers and hear my name called was very humbling,” she said.

Rabajante added that her favorite part of her job as LPO is having the opportunity to lead junior Sailors.

“My leadership, past and present took the time to develop me into the Sailor that I am today,” she said.  “Now it is my turn to give back.”

In her job as RNMC LPO, she helped support sea and shore commands throughout the Hampton Roads area, as well as six bases outside the continental United States, including Guantanamo Bay, Sigonella, Naples, Rota, Bahrain and Djibouti.

“Although she had no prior experience in the postal field, she took time to learn the operation and became a very valuable asset, not only in the Norfolk area, but at NAVSUP FLC Norfolk’s over the horizon sites as well,” said Vic Gonzalez, director Regional Navy Mail Center Norfolk. “She never makes excuses and always gets the job done, while taking care of her Sailors and maintaining a positive work environment. Bottom line, she is the kind of Sailor I want on my team.”

Rabajante served as a postal inspector and advisor, leading a team of three inspectors in the annual postal inspections of 457 Navy Region Mid-Atlantic commands.  She also managed the consolidation program for 630 thousand pieces of mail and urinalysis samples for the entire region going to and from the same destination. These efforts resulted in saving $122 thousand in postage fees.  She oversaw the efficient use of U.S. Postal Service and FEDEX stations for expedited mailing service.  She led the processing of over 1 million parcels with zero errors, which led to excellent customer satisfaction. 

During her tenure, the RNMC provided support during the holiday periods of an excessive mail load, two advancement cycles, a major homeport change of one aircraft carrier and countless underway periods to include eight carrier and expeditionary strike groups.

“She is a dedicated leader who took ownership of her role and the division as a whole and is committed to the mission of the command,” said Logistics Specialist Master Chief Shawn Grasty, Supply Management Department leading chief petty officer.  “Put simply, she gets the job done.”

Rabajante will now represent NAVSUP in the CNO Shore Sailor of the Year competition.

NAVSUP FLC Norfolk is one of eight FLCs under Commander, NAVSUP.  Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP's mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter. Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsup and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom.

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/.