Twelve commands were recognized for community service excellence Jan. 9, as Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) announced the Health, Safety, and Fitness Flagship Awards for calendar year 2017, as detailed in Naval Administrative Message (NAVADMIN) 004/18.

The Health, Safety, and Fitness Flagship Awards are managed by NETC as the flag sponsor, and executed by the Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC). Winners are recognized for having the best overall community service programs teaching and encouraging individuals, especially youth, to lead active lives.

"The Navy's Health, Safety, and Fitness Flagship Award program promotes positive lifestyles through command partnerships with schools and communities," said Capt. Kertreck Brooks, NETPDC Commanding Officer. "Every day, thousands of Sailors are out in the community, around the world, promoting health and fitness by educating and setting a good example for kids to emulate."

Part of the overall Navy Community Service Program (NCSP), the Health, Safety, and Fitness Flagship Awards highlight Navy volunteers who visit schools and neighborhoods sharing information and giving practical training that focuses on nutrition, hygiene, mental health, disease prevention, leisure skills development, personal safety, drug demand reduction, sports, and recreation.

Examples of command-sponsored health, safety and fitness events are Special Olympics, the Great American Smokeout, safety and health fairs, and the President's Award on Physical Fitness and Sports.

According to Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, NETC commander, devoting the time to improve health, safety, and fitness in the community is time well-spent by commands and sows the seeds of great rewards.

"This program re-enforces the Navy's commitment and support to our surrounding communities," said Cozad. "Continuing partnerships and positive leadership make a significant difference in the quality of lives for our Sailors and in those lives they touch."

The 2017 Health, Safety, and Fitness Flagship Award winners by category are:

Shore Command Category:
-Small Winner: Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
-Small Honorable Mention: Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit, Lemoore, California.
-Medium Winner: Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit, Keesler AFB, Mississippi.
-Medium Honorable Mention: Navy Medicine Professional Development Center, Bethesda, Maryland.
-Large Winner: Naval Air Technical Training Center, Pensacola, Florida.
-Large Honorable Mention: Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickham, Hawaii
and Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

Overseas Category:
-Small Winner: Naval Airborne Weapons Maintenance Unit ONE, Guam
-Large Winner: U.S. Naval Hospital, Naples, Italy
-Large Honorable Mention: U.S. Naval Hospital, Guam

Sea Category:
-Medium Winner: Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO THREE, San Diego
-Large Winner: U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion THREE, Port Hueneme, Calif.
-Large Honorable Mention: USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Norfolk, Virginia.

The NCSP was launched in 1992 by then-Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Frank B. Kelso, with the goal of fostering and nurturing community ties with the Navy and promoting volunteerism while developing better naval leaders through experience in the program.

NCSP consists of five flagship award categories, including the Health, Safety, and Fitness Flagship, Personal Excellence Partnership Flagship, Project Good Neighbor Flagship, Campaign Drug Free Flagship, and Environmental Stewardship Flagship. A separate Navy command sponsors and administers each flagship category.

In addition to executing the Health, Safety and Fitness Flagship Award, NETPDC provides products and services that enable and enhance education, training, career development, and personnel advancement throughout the Navy. Primary elements of the command include the Voluntary Education Department, the Navy Advancement Center, and the Resources Management Department. Additional information about the Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center can be found via: https://www.netc.navy.mil/netc/netpdc/Default.htm .

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