Damage Controlman 1st Class Melissa A. Mayer, who serves at Naval Consolidated Brig Miramar Detachment Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was recently selected by the American Correctional Association as the 2016 Military Corrections Professional of the Year for the Navy.

Her work in the justice system started at an early age. She said her journey began, not with a desire to work in corrections, but law enforcement.

"Growing up in Michigan I knew I wanted to be a police officer," she said. "It always appealed to me. I looked up to them and saw a hero in uniform every time I went to a function or saw an officer patrolling the streets."

After obtaining an associate degree in Criminal Justice of Law Enforcement, she decided to enlist in the military to pay off student loans and a hunger to see the world. There wasn't an opening for her in military police or master-at-arms in any branch of service at the time, so she signed up as a damage controlman instead.

When given the opportunity to pick shore duty, she saw an opening at the Pearl Harbor brig and felt she had to take it. She said it's one of the best decisions she's ever made, but the transition was a challenge.

"Since I am a damage controlman, accustomed to shipboard firefighting and engineering, the most challenging aspect of my (brig) job was to become familiar with all aspects of corrections," she said. "It was basically a new job and I had to do a lot of training and read a lot of instructions, and I am still referring to them every day."

Her professional mission is to ensure the safety and security of prisoners and staff at all times, and to ensure that prisoners, once released, are prepared for their return to civilian life, the community or to their military duties.

She's also looking to advance herself in the field through education. She's close to obtaining a Bachelor's degree and she's preparing for the Chief's exam before she goes back on sea duty. In addition, she's studying to take the Law School Admission Test in 2017 with a desire to join the Judge Advocate General Corps.

Aside from her professional and educational commitments, Mayer has shown a strong sense of community involvement. She has volunteered her time at the Hawaiian Humane Society and a Honolulu Homeless shelter. As a trained Sexual Assault Prevention and Response victim advocate, she manned a local crisis phone line.

"It makes me feel really good inside and out," she said. "I have always wanted to make the world a better place. If providing my off time to be at the other end of a 24-hour help line, walking dogs and finding them a forever home, or making our homeless a little more comfortable by serving food and giving them some sort of hope to survive our harsh world, then that is what I feel good doing and that is what I will do."

According to Tinaz, Mayer accepted her award on behalf of all her shipmates at Naval Brig Pearl Harbor.

"Petty Officer Mayer epitomizes those rare qualities most sought in today's military professional, said Lt. Cmdr. Marc Tinaz, detachment commander for Naval Brig Pearl Harbor. "She maintains a balance between her personal and professional goals. Her pursuit in her educational goals, continually making the Dean's list and completing all her qualifications and working outside her rating just speaks volumes on the amount of dedication and commitment she has."

Mayer thanked her shipmates by saying, "I would not be here without the help of the best crew in the Navy. We are a great team, dealing with some significant challenges and issues with our 'residents.' Every day we rally to support each other, train and encourage. I would not be here without them."

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