Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces will announce the 2015 U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) Command Fleet Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year during a ceremony hosted by the Hampton Roads Navy League at the Sheraton Waterside in Norfolk, March 24.

Following the announcement by Vice Adm. Richard Breckenridge, the Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year will travel to Washington, D.C., March 28-31, and be meritoriously promoted to chief petty officer by the Chief of Naval Operations, while the Fleet Shore Sailor of the Year will advance to the final selection process for the Chief of Naval Operations Shore Sailor of the Year.

Established in 1972, the U.S. Fleet Forces Command Sailor of the Year Program exists to recognize the best and brightest Sailors throughout USFF. A total of 13 candidates are in competition for the two honors. The week-long Sailor of the Year activities included competition, as well as social functions honoring the nominees' service.

Providing remarks at the event will be the first Sailor of the Year from 1972, retired Master Chief Torpedoman Richard Corey.

Finalists for Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year are:

Machinist Mate 1st Class (SS) Christopher Tanner
USS Maryland (SSBN 738), Kings Bay, Georgia

Cryptologic Technician 1st Class (NAC/IDW/AW) Courtney Evers
Navy Information Operations Detachment Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

Construction Mechanic 1st Class (SCW/SW) Michael Steffey
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1, Gulfport, Mississippi

Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW) Amparo Balderas
Commander, Naval Expeditionary Task Force Europe and Africa, Commander Task Force 68, Rota, Spain

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (FMF/SW) Genesisjames Dizon
Marine Corps Forces Command, Norfolk

Aviation Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (AW/SW) Tinishia Franklin
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), Norfolk

Culinary Specialist 1st Class (SW) Christopher Roth
USS Nitze (DDG 94), Norfolk

Finalists nominated for Fleet Shore Sailor of the Year are:

Cryptologic Technician 1st Class (IDW/SG) Kevin Owens
Farragut Technical Analysis Center, Washington, D.C.

Logistics Specialist 1st Class (EXW/SW) Norma Porter
Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG), Norfolk

Information Systems Technician 1st Class (IDW/SW/AW/SCW) Chantel Riggenbach
Military Sealift Command, Norfolk

Machinist Mate 1st Class (SS) Mark Rosario
Trident Refit Facility (TRF), Kings Bay

Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 1st Class (AW/SW) Brian McGarrigle
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 40 (HSM-40), Mayport, Florida

Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW/IDW) Shallon Davis
Naval Surface Squadron 14, Mayport

MEDIA ADVISORY: Members of the media interested in covering this event at the Sheraton Waterside should contact Lt. Stephanie Turo, USFF Public Affairs, at (757) 836-4421 by noon, Wednesday, March 24. The event is scheduled from noon until 2 p.m. The Sailors of the Year will be available for interviews after the ceremony.