Rear Adm. Patrick Piercy, Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT), announced the Surface Force Atlantic Sea and Shore Activities Sailors of the Year (SOY) in a ceremony held at Carl Brashear Center onboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Feb 10.

Piercy announced Electronic Technician 1st Class Joseph Bennett, representing guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103), as the Atlantic Sea Activities SOY and Operational Specialist 1st Ciria Howe, Afloat Training Group Atlantic, as the Atlantic Shore Activities SOY.

Established in 1972 by former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Whittet, the SOY program recognizes individual Sailors who best represent the group of dedicated professional Sailors at each command and ultimately the Navy.

"The SOY program is significant because it highlights the outstanding performance of the top first class petty officers within the type commands," said Chief Hospital Corpsman Nekeia Borders, SURFLANT SOY coordinator. "The two [Sailors of the Year] from Atlantic Sea and Shore will go on to compete for the opportunity to be meritoriously advanced to chief petty officer at U.S. Fleet Forces Command."

Ten Surface Force Atlantic SOY finalists from sea and shore met with SURFLANT selection board of master chief petty officers during the competition.

"I believe it's important to recognize Sailors for the things they do along with their accomplishments," said Command Master Chief Melissa Black, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 2. "At the end of the day, we want to say they are all winners and they should be proud of the command they represent."

"In my 27 years in the Navy, I'm still [impressed] by this event," said Black. "These Sailors are my belief that I am turning over our future to some great leaders."

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