Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) recognized its top Sailor and instructor for the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 during an award ceremony Feb. 14.

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Marie N. McHellon from NETC Learning Site Kings Bay, Georgia, was selected as the Sailor of the Quarter (SOQ) and Fire Controlman 1st Class Michael A. McManus from NETC LS Dam Neck, Virginia, was selected as the Instructor of the Quarter (IOQ).

The Sailors were recognized by Rear Adm. Mike White, NETC commander, during an all-hands call with McHellon and McManus present via teleconference.

"Congratulations! Your hard work has paid off," said White. "There is certainly a lot of competition out there and you have risen to the top."

The IOQ and SOQ programs are designed to recognize and reward the performance and dedication of outstanding enlisted Sailors.
McHellon, the leading petty officer at LS Kings Bay, manages the day-to-day operations for two separate school houses responsible for providing delivery of the Navy Instructor Training Course (NITC), Command Managed Equal Opportunity (CMEO), and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Management Seminar for Leaders courses in the southeast region. Qualified as a master training specialist (MTS), McHellon instructed 150 students, both officer and enlisted, in the Professional Development course.

Originally from Atlanta, McHellon said she strives to empower her students and is aware of the importance of her role as an instructor. She recognizes her students can take the knowledge they gain from her instruction, and through its application, can affect many more Sailors across the fleet.

"In over 26 years and three instructor tours, I've not seen an instructor spend as much time off the podium, answering as many questions about the course and about other leadership questions," said Chief Warrant Officer Rob Harris. "Many of her students have asked her to be their mentor; you can't fake that kind of commitment."

"I have the ability to educate our leaders to give our Sailors the tools that help them make sound decisions," said McHellon.

A SOQ is selected for how he or she exemplifies Navy core values while on and off duty. McHellon participates in training sessions and community relations events with the Trident Training Facility Kings Bay First Class Petty Officer Association.

McNamus, the NETC IOQ, is originally from Syracuse, New York, and said he strives to equip students with leadership tools which make their commands successful in all areas.

As the lead instructor for the NITC, he delivered principles of learning, instructional methods, and strategies and techniques to four classes of 100 Navy, Marine Corps, and Department of Defense students. Additionally, he trained 120 joint students in eight CMEO classes.

"At the school house here, we build the foundation for them as instructors," said McManus. "It's great to see the transition from day one of the course to graduation day. I feel that I have a direct impact on my students. I have mentored junior and senior personnel on everything from career advice to helping them grow personally. This impacts the fleet through the web of highly-trained instructors delivering critical training to our Navy."

Chief Hospital Corpsman Melissa Metz, the administration department head at LS Dam Neck, said McManus has taken it upon himself to help other staff members study and qualify for their MTS qualification. McManus serves as her LPO and is responsible for the administrative duties for six globally dispersed learning sites.

"McManus is the definition of a well-rounded, balanced, and dedicated Sailor and Instructor," said Metz. "He has a passion for teaching, and it is recognized in every student critique. The students consistently praise his professionalism and knowledge about the courses and the Navy."

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