Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (DV/EXW/SS) Joseph Murphy assigned to the Undersea Rescue Command at Naval Air Station North Island, received a surprise right before Christmas, but it wasn't a gift. He was selected as the 2015 Navy Region Southwest, Reserve Component Command Sailor of the Year (RSOY).

Hospital Corpsman Senior Chief (AW/NAC) David Danielson, Senior Enlisted Leader for Undersea Rescue Command, acknowledged that while he has several outstanding Sailors at his command, the selection of Murphy for Navy Region Southwest RSOY appropriately recognizes Murphy's effort as a Reservist.

"Murphy represents the knowledge, skills, and ability for which leadership is looking for within the reserve force," Danielson said. "When you look at leveraging civilian based skill sets to force-multiply the Navy, HM1 Murphy represents that."

In addition to being the medical leading petty officer, serving as the command's career counselor, and being pre-med at the University of Arizona, Murphy, from Tucson, Arizona, is also developing and delivering the training for the Submarine Rescue System-Transfer Under Pressure (SRS-TUP) system.

"Every July we do a command annual training, and Murphy was the lead on developing the training this last year for the TUP system," said Danielson. "Not only was he the lead for the enlisted Sailors here, but for the medical staff and the officers as a whole. That is phenomenal."

For Murphy, getting it right is a primary motivator.

"I put forth a lot of effort to get done what needs to get done and try to improve the command. That is what drives me. Making sure things get done the right way," he said.

The pace of operations at the Undersea Rescue Command provides both opportunity and variety for Murphy.

"It is hard to fit (what we have to do) in a drill weekend, especially for divers," he said. "When we are here, we have to do our training or we have to do dives. There is not a whole lot of time to do administration work. It is a very unique opportunity. As a diving medical technician, I can do all my corpsman stuff, and I can also do everything I need to do as a diver."

Murphy's interest as a Navy diver was stoked after a conversation with a diving medical technician while on active duty in Sigonella, Italy. He thought that an opportunity to be a diver and corpsman was perfect.

Next up for Murphy is Navy Reserve SOY selection board later this spring. Danielson said between now and then, the Undersea Rescue Command will continue ensuring Murphy is ready by holding mock boards, and the commitment from Murphy will not be a problem.

"He is an operational reservist with a mission that is 24/7," Danielson said. "It takes a large degree of commitment."

Then Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumalt and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Jack Whittet began the SOY program in 1972 to recognize outstanding Atlantic and Pacific Sailors. Later, the program was expanded to honor shore and Reserve Force Sailors.

For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element, visit www.navy.mil/.