Capt. Glenn Jamison, commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), announced the recipients of the Navy Marine Corps Association Leadership Award (NMCALA) over the 1MC, Aug. 11.

Established in 1987, the Capt. Joy Bright Hancock and Master Chief Anna Der-Vartanian Leadership Awards honor Navy men and women with visionary leadership, whose ideals and dedication foster a positive work environment. The annual awards recognize the inspirational leadership of Navy officers and enlisted Sailors on active or reserve duty in the fleet.

"I consider these very distinguished awards," said Jamison. "These awards are picked out by fellow shipmates who nominate their candidate. Those who receive these awards really stand out from the crowd as exemplary leaders amongst their peers."

There are four categories from which leaders are chosen from the command. The winners included Chief Boatswain's Mate Edmundo Brontes from Deck department in category 1, Lt. Taylor Barrow from Navigation in category 2, Lcdr. William Snider from Administration in category 3 and Cmdr. Jeffrey Brown from Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachment in category 4.

"There are different brackets for leaders to be selected from," said Lcdr. William Snider, head of the executive department aboard George Washington. "There is E-7 to O-3, O-4, and O-5. So there are three different levels of leadership to be voted on. For me, there were two rounds of voting; the E-7 to O-3, and the O-4 community."

For Snider, the announcement came as a surprise.

"Typically, admin professionals are the people behind the curtain," said Snider. "I've gotten used to and I enjoy being behind the curtain. I don't like being in the lime light. It means a lot to me because I wasn't voted for by senior leadership, but by my colleagues. It's a really special feeling knowing I was chosen."

Lt. Taylor Barrow, assistant navigator aboard George Washington, received the award on the 11th.

"For me, receiving this award means the absolute most because it was from my peers," said Barrow. "With all the talent we have on the George Washington, to be selected as the top lieutenant from the warrant and the junior officer ranks means the world to me."

Being chosen by their peers for their leadership abilities, both Snider and Barrow had advice for their fellow shipmates.

"The best piece of advice I've been given in my 20 years of service is communication is everything," said Barrow. "Up and down the chain, communication is key to get the task at hand accomplished."

"Teamwork," said Snider. "That would be my one piece of advice to anyone. If you see someone, not just in your department, but anywhere else who may be struggling, help them. Approach everything as a learning experience and the knowledge you gain from that, you can bring back to your team and build up from there."

George Washington is undergoing a refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipyard. RCOH is a nearly four-year project performed only once during a carrier's 50-year service life that includes refueling of the ship's two nuclear reactors, as well as significant repair, upgrades and modernization.

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