Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) announced its 2018 Headquarters Senior and Junior Sailors of the Year (SOY), Jan 31.

A panel of senior enlisted leaders from the Naval Medical Research and Development (R&D) Enterprise chose Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jayson Ravago, NMRC in Silver Spring, Maryland as Senior SOY and Logistic Specialist 2nd Class Tenzin Pema of Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) 2 in Singapore as Junior SOY.

Ravago and Pema were chosen out of a competitive field of nominees from the Naval Medicine R&D Enterprise, which includes NMRC in Silver Spring, NAMRU-2, NAMRU-D in Dayton, Ohio, Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) in San Diego, Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory in Groton, Connecticut, NAMRU-SA in San Antonio, NAMRU-3 in Cairo, Egypt, and NAMRU-6 in Lima, Peru.

Nominees were evaluated on their educational accomplishments, physical fitness standards, participation in civic and community activities, along with professional military knowledge, leadership, military bearing, Navy values, and knowledge of current events.

Ravago, leading petty officer for NMRC’s Biological Defense Research Directorate (BDRD), led seven sailors, mentored five junior officers and supervised more than 70 civilians in the daily operation of research and development and provided scientific expertise and administrative support.

He also led the Navy's only mobile biological warfare detection laboratory, which directly supports the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff priority-one classified mission. As lead laboratory technician, he was instrumental to the overall success of the three-person mobile lab team's performance during the 2018 Desert Ice 10 Joint Force Field Exercise with U.S. and allied special operations forces.

“Petty Officer Ravago's technical acumen was instrumental in the proof of concept and validation of two new instruments for biowarfare agent detection and sequencing during field operations,” said Dr. Al Mateczun, BDRD director. “He supported two joint forces training exercises that provided theater-level validation and administered biological warfare defense technical support to Naval Special Warfare Development Group. In addition, he planned and executed six 'blowout' field training exercises aimed at refining field identification and confirmation of biological warfare agents that ensured 100 percent operational readiness and effectiveness of BDRD personnel.”

Ravago was also accountable for four mobile detection laboratories valued at almost 4 million dollars. His efforts directly supported global health surveillance and enhanced medical research in support of force health protection for warfighters.

"His work ethic and effectiveness this year 'raised the bar' for his peers,” said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Edgar Nunez, NMRC senior enlisted leader. “He unfailingly demonstrated commitment, accountability, and exceptional expertise among all junior Sailors and officers, demonstrating mission focus at all times.”

Ravago credits NMRC leaders and staff for his selection as NMRC’s HQ Senior Sailor of the Year.

"It came down to what my leaders thought of how I accomplished the mission and what my people achieved under my leadership," said Ravago. "You have to think about those working for you. It's about people first."

According to Capt. Adam Armstrong, commander of NMRC, Ravago’s "can-do" attitude and meticulous attention to detail significantly influenced the command's ability to conduct research, development, testing, and evaluation to enhance the health, safety, and readiness of Sailors and Marines around the world.

Pema was selected Junior SOY because of her dynamic leadership and superb administrative support as command logistics program manager for NAMRU-2.

Nunez said he was impressed by her keen management skills, leading three supply representatives across two geographic regions in southeast Asia in the management of close to half a million dollars and accountability of almost 600 pieces of equipment valued at approximately 2 million dollars.

She also acted as director for administration (DFA), a lieutenant commander position, for several weeks because of the DFA’s unexpected emergency leave.

"LS2 Tenzin Pema is truly an outstanding sailor and well deserving of award as Junior Sailor of the Year,” said Capt. Patrick Blair, commanding officer, Naval Medical Research Unit 2. “A quiet, but rock-solid performer, she operates at the highest level and has won the confidence of our entire crew."

Pema said she was surprised when she found out of her selection.

"It is an honor to be recognized for my work and being selected as Junior Sailor of the Year," she said.

“Congratulations to Petty Officers Ravago and Pema," said Armstrong. "Thank you for all your hard work. It was your talent as leaders, mission accomplishment and dedication to the Navy that brought you this much deserved recognition.”

NMRC's eight laboratories are engaged in a broad spectrum of activity, from basic science in the laboratory to field studies at sites in austere and remote areas of the world to operational environments. In support of the Navy, Marine Corps, and joint U.S. warfighters, researchers study infectious diseases; biological warfare detection and defense; combat casualty care; environmental health concerns; aerospace and undersea medicine; medical modeling, simulation and operational mission support; and epidemiology and behavioral sciences.

NMRC and the laboratories deliver high-value, high-impact research products to support and protect today's deployed warfighters. At the same time, researchers are focused on the readiness and well-being of future forces.

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