Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Bill Moran announced the 2016 Shore Sailor of the Year during a ceremony held at the Pentagon in Washington, April 20.

Moran announced Logistics Specialist 1st Class Amber Wilson, Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education Sailor of the Year, as this year's winner.

Wilson also received a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at the ceremony and will be meritoriously advanced to chief petty officer (CPO) later this year.

Alongside Wilson was Naval Aircrewmen (Avionics) 1st Class David Matuska, Personnel Specialist 1st Class Aliscia Malone, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Kenneth D. Terrell, and Builder 1st Class Thomas Camara; who were also awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during the ceremony.

"This experience of being board selected and being through that grinder, there's no doubt that they've earned the right to be proud and very confident about themselves," said Moran. "My wish for each of them is that they depart here a better Sailor, a better human being, and a better leader, having learned from each other in this process."

Wilson thanked the people along the way who helped her down her path.

"I would like to thank all the people that I work for, the people that work for me, the people I work with, and my recruits," said Wilson. "They're very testing at times but it's definitely challenged me for the better and I'm hoping that it will help me become a better chief petty officer."

Wilson is a native of Muskegon Michigan and reported to Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill., August, 2006. Her duties include from USS Lassen (DDG 82) in Yokosuka, Japan, Logistics Support Unit One (LOGSU-1) in Coronado, Calif., where she was assigned temporary duty with SEAL Team 7 and deployed to Iraq from March to November 2011, Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella Detachment Naples (FLC-Naples), and RTC Great Lakes. Her personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), Good Conduct Medal (three awards), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.

Adm. Elmo Zumwalt initiated the Sailor of the Year program in 1972 to recognize outstanding Atlantic and Pacific Fleet Sailors. The following year, the Shore Sailor of the Year program was introduced.

Each year, every Navy ship, station, and command around the world chooses its Sailor of the Year based on leadership, professionalism, dedication, and superior performance. These selectees compete against recipients from other commands, eventually competing at higher echelons until the Navy's five finest are chosen - only one is selected as the Navy Shore SOY.



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