Two Sailors and airman were recognized as the 2016 Commander, U.S. Naval Activities (COMNAVACT) Spain Service Members of the Year (SMOY) during a ceremony, March 10.

Senior Airman David Torres, assigned to the 725th Air Mobility Squadron, was selected among four other nominees as the 2016 Junior SMOY, Master-at-Arms 1st Class Maria Garcia, assigned to Naval Station Rota Security Department, was selected among four others as the 2016 Senior SMOY and Chief Hospital Corpsman David Cano, assigned to Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit 7, was distinguished as the 2016 Senior Enlisted Leader of the Year among three other nominees.

"I feel great, kind of shocked," said Torres. "I'm definitely grateful for all my leadership and the mentors that I've had in the past few years. The Air Force doesn't hold boards until you get to a certain rank so it was a new experience for me. I had to go through both and Air Force board and then a joint board with Navy leaders. I was nervous but I kept my composure."

This is the fourth year that COMNAVACT Spain has given out this award, which is open to Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines. The award is designed to recognize the best all-around service members assigned to the installation and the National Support Elements in Madrid, Valencia and Lisbon who excel in performance, leadership, community involvement and personal and military appearance.

"I don't get nervous easily but I was for this," said Garcia. "I'm very humbled. It feels really good to be recognized as someone within so many men and women who are doing an amazing job. It's really just an amazing feeling."

Service members were nominated within their commands and then again reviewed and selected among a pool of total nominations submitted with a write-up. The selected were then individually tested on a broad range of topics in front of a board of seniors enlisted leaders from all services and various commands throughout the base.

"My guiding principles are pride, professionalism and teamwork," said Capt. Michael MacNicholl, Naval Station Rota commanding officer. "It's evident in all the nominees the pride they take in their organizations, the professionalism they display in their service and the teamwork that comes out when you look across the spectrum of both the nominees and the award winners."
MacNicholl said that the competition was tough because every single candidate deserved to win.

Though Torres, Garcia and Cano were recognized as this year's awardees the other nominees for Junior SMOY were: Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Mario Alonzo, U.S. Naval Hospital Rota; Electronics Technician 3rd Class Katelyn Aquino, Rota Air Operations; Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) 3rd Class Shermalaine Dantes, Fleet Logistics Support Detachment Rota; and Constructionman Armani Dixon, Public Works.

The nominees for Senior SMOY were: Sgt. Keila Ortiz, Rota Veterinary Clinic; Utlitiesman 1st Class Mike Boyle, Public Works; Logistics Specialist 1st Class Walter Murillo, Fleet Logistics Support Detachment Rota; and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Steven Piedrahita, U.S. Naval Hospital Rota.
The nominees for Senior Enlisted Leader SMOY were: Chief Air Traffic Controller Tyler Cannon, Rota Air Operations; Senior Master Sgt. Jashua Hyatt, 725th Air Mobility Squadron, Senior Chief Yeoman Raymond Rodriguez, Explosive ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 8.

Naval Station Rota enables and supports operations of U.S. and allied forces and provides quality services in support of the fleet, fighter, and family for Commander, Navy Installations Command in Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA).

Just as a ship performs lines of operation which provide a capability, Navy Region EURAFSWA bases perform the same eight lines of operation to provide capability to the fleet and joint and allied forces. These eight lines of operation are air operations; port operations; safety; security; Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR); Fleet and Family Services, and what is called the core -- the fuels, water, and power which keeps the base running. Through the lines of operation, installations are force multipliers which maximize the combat capability of operational units.

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For more news from Naval Station Rota, Spain, visit www.navy.mil/.