Rear Adm. David Kriete, Commander, Submarine Group 9 (COMSUBGRU-9), announced the 2015 sea and shore COMSUBGRU-9 Sailors of the Year and Junior Sailors of the Year during a luncheon at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor Plaza, Jan. 29.

The Sailor of the Year (SOY) and Junior Sailor of the Year (JSOY) from many local commands participated in a rigorous evaluation process. They were each required to complete an oral presentation in front of a selection board, who took into consideration characteristics such as professional knowledge, military bearing, teamwork, education and professional development.

"Each of the Sailors we recognize here today were specifically selected by their parent command to compete in a very challenging administrative and verbal evaluation boards made up of chiefs, senior chiefs, and some salty master chiefs," said Command Master Chief Ted Calcaterra, assigned to COMSUBGRU-9. "Most of them completed this process twice before they arrived here today against group of very skilled and professional Sailors at each level. The competition at these boards is always very competitive and it is a complete pleasure to see these Sailors perform at this high level."

Sonar Technician 1st Class Sarah Riha, assigned to Naval Ocean Processing Facility (NOPF) Whidbey Island, was selected as the Sea SOY, and Information Systems Technician 1st Class Nicholas Stenftenagel, assigned to Priority Material Office (PMO) Bremerton, was selected as Shore SOY.

Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Alexander Weitemeyer, assigned to the Blue Crew of the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Alabama (SSBN 731), was selected at Sea JSOY, and Yeoman 2nd Class Jennifer Reeder, assigned to COMSUBGRU-9, was selected as Shore JSOY.

All of the nominees were recognized for their efforts by Treasurer of the Pacific Northwest Naval Submarine League Roy Rasmussen, who presented each nominee with a gift from the Submarine League.

"The Sailors you see here today, whether or not they move on in the SOY program, represent the highest sense of professionalism, performance and standards at each command," said Kriete. "These Sailors are representative of the tremendous talent and ability of the thousands of Sailors here in the Pacific Northwest and throughout the Navy that are getting the job done every day, for our country."

Riha and Stenftenagel are scheduled to participate in the Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (SUBPAC) Sailor of the Year competition, which will kick off in San Diego Feb. 7.

The Navywide SOY program was initiated in 1972 by former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt. The goal was to recognize outstanding Sailors throughout the fleet. The Shore SOY program was introduced in 1973.

Sponsored by the chief of naval operations, the program provides recognition to the Navy's outstanding Sailors through numerous presentations, awards, and meritorious advancement to the next pay grade.

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