The Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) Domain named a CSCS Unit Great Lakes Sailor as its 2016 Military Instructor of the Year.

Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Jesse Watson was chosen over a number of equally impressive Sailors for the honor.

"Congratulations to BM 2nd Class Jessie Watson on his selection as CSCS Instructor of the Year," said Capt. Frank Castellano, commanding officer of CSCS Domain, Dahlgren. "Watson's record is impressive and I am confident his students enter the Fleet well-prepared and ready to better our Navy."

As a lead surface common core instructor, Watson provided realistic, hands-on underway replenishment, mooring, small boat hoisting, anchoring, and man overboard training to 1,696 students to ensure the fleet received well-trained and safety-conscious Sailors.

"BM2 Watson is the epitome of a successful Sailor and instructor," said Lt. Drew Serrecchia, executive officer of CSCS Unit Great Lakes. "His ability to bring real-world experience from the fleet and find innovative ways to relate it to new accession boatswain's mate 'A' school and surface common core students is amazing. Whether it is glowing student critiques of his performance, to his peers seeking him out for guidance on proven and successful ways to teach new Sailors, we couldn't have chosen a better example of what we do here at CSCS Unit Great Lakes or the CSCS Domain as a whole."

Watson was not only proud to represent CSCS Unit Great Lakes; he was also honored to represent the BM community.

"I was very surprised and happy for myself and the Sailors who helped me get to this point when I found out I that I was being awarded," Watson said. "Winning for the command was great, but then to keep on advancing -- east coast, west coast, and then domain -- was an awesome feeling and it was equally satisfying being a BM. BMs have a long tradition of being hard chargers and getting things done, and being able to get our names out there is nice. Shining for the BM is a great feeling."

Another objective of Watson was to assist in getting his shipmates master training specialist (MTS) certified. He spent more than 250 hours mentoring, teaching, and coaching 56 staff members.

"I want to be a role model in every way, shape, and form," Watson said. "One of the things I've learned while earning my MTS qualification was that, as an instructor, we need to portray ourselves as a role model in personal life and professional life. I also need them to feel comfortable to come to me so I can direct them to the help they need, whether it be to a chaplain or Fleet and Family service. After two years of teaching I still feel great when, before leaving, students approach me to say that they want to do what I do. Having an effect on a student to do big and great things is an awesome feeling."

"Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Jessie Watson motivates his students to do their best and establishes the highest standards for them," explained CSCS Command Master Chief Adam Longsdorf. "He is a role model in and out of the classroom."

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