The Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) announced its Domain Junior Sailor of the Year (JSOY) for 2017.

CSCS Det. East Instructor Electronics Technician 2nd Class Richard William Zapata was honored by his selection.

"I am extremely humbled and grateful to be selected as CSCS's first Domain JSOY," Zapata said. "As Navy instructors, we are already considered some of the best the fleet has to offer, so to stand out among my peers and other outstanding schoolhouse Sailors is a true honor."

When Zapata is not busy teaching broadcast keying station and submarine message courses, he is still heavily involved in training future generations of Sailors. As course supervisor, he manages and maintains course curriculum and ensures a safe and effective learning environment for students. He is also the course curriculum model manager and works closely with the learning standard officers to implement course revision changes. In addition, as test testing officer, he coordinates remediation and academic review boards. Even though his schedule is demanding, Zapata enjoys the high level of responsibility.

"I love my job because I personally get to work with and inspire Sailors from different backgrounds and all levels of expertise to add value to the fleet," he said.

According to CSCS Det. East Command Senior Chief Torice Sullivan, Zapata is a shipmate who embodies the Navy's core values of honor, courage and commitment.

"Petty Officer Zapata was nominated because he is the strongest second class petty officer in his division and his traits reflect a savvy first class petty officer," explained Sullivan. "His momentum since checking onboard has never lessened and he continues to crush benchmarks made by his predecessors. He mentors junior Sailors and provides them the essential tools they need to have a successful career and is heavily involved in the Navy's Drug Education for Youth (DEFY) mentor program. He is the [detachment's] assistant command fitness leader, course supervisor, Second Class Petty Officers Association founder and president, and command building security representative. Additionally, he is working on a second master's degree. Petty Officer Zapata is a confident leader who places mission success and readiness above all and instills the same within his personnel. He is a superb leader who has surpassed my standards that I hold my first class petty officers to. The sky is no limit for this Sailor!"

In 2009, Zapata left the hustle and bustle of his beloved New York City for a new career path.

"I joined the Navy following the country's economic recession and some personal and professional downfalls," he explained. "As a recent college graduate, I was eager to join the workforce but soon realized that I lacked direction and focus. I needed another challenge so I joined the Navy to serve a greater purpose than myself and impact the lives of others."

Capt. Frank X. Castellano, CSCS commanding officer, said Zapata is a tremendous asset to the surface combat systems training community.

"I am very impressed with his sustained level of performance this past year, which validates how his efforts ensure our fleet receives Sailors who can execute the mission and are combat ready," he said.

Zapata explained that his recognition represents CSCS Det. East.

"I would like to say thank you to my leadership from the top down for believing in me," he said. "Most importantly, I want to thank my shipmates and especially the communications division for always being supportive team players. This acknowledgment exemplifies our hard work as a unit."

CSCS's mission is to develop and deliver surface ship combat systems training to achieve surface warfare superiority. CSCS headquarters' staff oversees 14 learning sites and detachments, including CSCS Det. East, located throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, and Japan, and manages and operates a Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) training division in Rota, Spain. CSCS provides over 538 courses, awards 114 different Navy Enlisted Classifications (NECs), and trains 37,400 Sailors a year. CSCS delivers specialized training for officer and enlisted Sailors required to tactically operate, maintain and employ shipboard and shore-based weapons, sensors and command and control systems utilized in today's Navy.

For information on the Center for Surface Combat System, visit http://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/cscs/ and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Surface-Combat-Systems/1480366868885239.