Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CNSP) announced Lt. j.g. Christian Jaunich as the 2018 CNSP Junior Officer Shiphandler of the Year (JOSH).

A native of Charlotte, Vermont, Jaunich is assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), which is part of the Carrier Strike Group One.

“My commanding officer, Capt. Jen Ellinger stresses that excellence is the standard,” Jaunich said. “I constantly strive to push myself past baseline standards and expectations to ensure that time in the practice simulator and underway is time well spent. This award is a culmination of that effort and it is an honor to have been selected amongst a group of such high-caliber officers.”

CNSP’s overall winner, the runner-up, and recipients of the 2018 Group/Squadron Commander's Junior Officer Award for Excellence in Shiphandling were announced via Navy message.

“My personal congratulations to each of you for this significant professional accomplishment,” Vice Adm. Richard Brown, Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, wrote in the Navy message. “Shiphandling proficiency is an essential skill for Surface Warfare Officers and your success in this competition has distinguished you as among the best in the Navy. Each of you can be justifiably proud of your accomplishment.”

Lt. Mitchell Kempisty, the operations officer and navigator aboard the patrol coastal ship USS Monsoon (PC 4), received the Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (CNSL) 2018 Junior Officer Shiphandler of the Year award.

Kempisty and Jaunich, who was recently promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade on May 31, will compete to determine the Surface Force (SURFOR) Junior Officer Shiphandler of the Year, June 4 – 5, 2019 at Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS) Newport, Rhode Island.

Both competitors will be evaluated on shiphandling and leadership skills. A rules of the road exam may come into play to decide the winner in the case of a tie.

The Commander, Naval Surface Forces (CNSF) winner will be announced and presented their award by Brown and Rear Adm. Jesse A. Wilson Jr., Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (CNSL).

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