The Navy Medicine Education, Training and Logistics Command (NMETLC) announced the selection of its 2016 Sailor of the Year (SOY) Nov. 17.

Petty Officer 1st Class Cameron Graham, a Hospital Corps School instructor, will represent the 26 commands, detachments, and units responsible for training and equipping Navy Medicine during the Navy Medicine SOY competition scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C., later this year.

"It was a surreal moment," Graham said, describing the moment his name was called as 2016 SOY. "I felt that all of the nominees were more than deserving of this honor, so I was humbled to hear my name called."

A Spring Hill, Florida, native, Graham served most of 2016 as a Navy military training instructor (NMTI) at the Navy Medicine Training Support Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston (JBSA-FSH) in San Antonio.

He is now a Basic Medical Technician Corpsman Program (BMTCP) instructor for Navy Hospital Corps and Air Force medic students at the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) at JBSA-FSH. He was selected from five SOYs, the top performers from NMETLC's four echelon IV commands and the flag headquarters command.

Master Chief Petty Officer Tony Guzman, NMTSC senior enlisted advisor, said Graham was selected in part for his versatility, leadership, and strategic planning abilities.

"PO1 Graham is a phenomenal Sailor who is involved in every aspect of the command," Guzman said. "He has worked in every directorate during his time here, so he has corporate knowledge and insight, which made him a valuable asset in establishing our strategic plan and meeting those goals."

Graham said he felt his selection was a direct reflection of the hard work of his command as a whole, and the teamwork required for NMTSC to continue to move forward.

"There were no individual efforts here," he said. "We all work together to get the job done -- my leadership, the Chiefs Mess, the First Class Petty Officer Association, my peers, the junior Sailors, and my family. I would not be here today if it were not for them."

Guzman agreed NMTSC's success is reflected in the command's team approach, but he added it was Graham's personal efforts which brought him to the forefront as an NMTSC role model.

"He's a true impact performer and the future of our Navy," Guzman said. "I couldn't be more proud of him. He motivates me and the rest of the staff here at NMTSC every day."

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