Culinary Specialist 1st Class Chasity Eastland became the first Sailor at Navy Installations Command (NIC) headquarters to be promoted under the Meritorious Advancement Program (MAP).

Vice Adm. Dixon Smith, NIC commander, advanced Eastland to petty officer first class during a surprise promotion ceremony held at NIC headquarters at the historic Washington Navy Yard Aug. 17.

"It was shocking; I really didn't expect it and had no idea," said Eastland, a native of Houston. "I'm still shocked right now."

MAP offers commanding officers the opportunity to recognize and advance top performing Sailors in pay grades E3-E5 to the next higher pay grade. This gives greater authority to commands to better shape their workforce and the Navy by developing and rewarding their best talent.

"She is deeply involved and does a great job at being a culinary specialist at this command," said NIC Force Master Chief Andrew Thompson. "As we looked at all of the requirements and what it takes to be a petty officer [first class], we felt she had those values and displayed them, and that's why she was selected."

In addition to her daily assignments, Eastland held several collateral duties at NIC including medical readiness program coordinator, assistant urinalysis program coordinator and keeping the accounting books for the flag galley.

This is the first year MAP expanded eligibility to include Sailors at shore commands.

Navy Installations Command is comprised of approximately 52,000 military and civilian personnel worldwide responsible for the operations, maintenance and quality of life programs to support the Navy's fleet, Sailors and their families.

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