The winner of the Senior Chief Storekeeper (SW/AW) Charles G. Zwierzynski Leadership Award was announced May 6 by the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service.

Chief Yeoman J. Bradley Long, the leading chief petty officer (LCPO) of the Executive Officer's administration office (XO Admin) aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), received the award for 2015.

"I think I was selected because I managed the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist boards during the 2014 deployment as well as being the "Big Larry", which meant I oversaw liberty parties when we made a port call," said Long. "Those jobs had a big impact on Sailors of every rank."

The Zwierzynski award is peer-based. Anyone between the E-1 and O-6 paygrades may nominate any chief for the award. The nominees are voted on, and Long received the most votes.

"I wasn't surprised at all when they announced Chief Long had won," said Yeoman Seaman Apprentice Andrew Williams, a Sailor in XO Admin.

"Chief is a great leader who's very hands-on and motivated. He is always there for us, and not just for work-related things. If you have something personal going, he'll do whatever he can to help you out," said Williams.

Long's leadership skills are appreciated by his Sailors in XO Admin. Yeoman 1st Class Prudence Whittaker, the leading petty officer (LPO) for XO Admin, said that Long earned the award for his commitment to Navy values.

"Chief Long is very by-the-book," said Whittaker. "Everyday he comes to work and strives to live up to Navy Core Values. He's a very stand-up guy, and that's why he deserves the award."

Long's name was announced by Capt. Andrew J. Loiselle, commanding officer of GWHB. Long said that he had no prior knowledge he had won the award, and it was an exciting surprise for him to find out.

"It felt really good," said Long. "I knew that I had been nominated, but I also knew there were a lot of good chiefs nominated so I was up against some tough competition. When the CO came on and announced my name, it felt really great."

Long said that as proud as he felt to have won, he recognized the award was a sign he was doing his job not only properly, but well, and he could never have done it alone.

"Anytime you get recognized by your peers, you feel like you're doing what you're supposed to be doing and doing it well," said Long. "I want to thank everyone for their support during deployment and throughout our operations. Without them, I couldn't have done it."

Long will be presented with his award in a formal ceremony held in Washington, D.C., in June.

George H.W. Bush is currently underway, conducting carrier qualifications in the Atlantic Ocean.


For more news from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), visit www.navy.mil/.