SLIDESHOW | images | 240606-N-AV754-2212 NORFOLK, Va. (June 6, 2024) Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC), presents the Navy and Marine Corps commendation medal to Culinary Specialist 1st Class Michelle Miller during the 2024 USFFC Sailor of the Year announcement dinner, June 6th 2024. The dinner is the culmination of a weeklong series of events that concludes with the announcement of the 2023 sea and shore Sailors of the Year. Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year will be meritoriously advanced to chief petty officer. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Evan Thompson/Released)
SLIDESHOW | images | 240606-N-AV754-3699 NORFOLK, Va. (June 6, 2024) Vice Adm. Robert Gaucher, commander, Submarine Force Atlantic, and Force Master Chief Neil Ford, Submarine Force Atlantic, present the Navy and Marine Corps commendation medal to Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Ariel Macon during the 2024 USFFC Sailor of the Year announcement dinner, June 6th 2024. The dinner is the culmination of a weeklong series of events that concludes with the announcement of the 2023 sea and shore Sailors of the Year. Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year will be meritoriously advanced to chief petty officer. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Evan Thompson/Released)
SLIDESHOW | images | 240606-N-AV754-1485 NORFOLK, Va. (June 6, 2024) Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, departs from the 2024 USFFC Sailor of the Year announcement dinner, June 6th 2024. The dinner is the culmination of a weeklong series of events that concludes with the announcement of the 2023 sea and shore Sailors of the Year. Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year will be meritoriously advanced to chief petty officer. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Evan Thompson/Released)
SLIDESHOW | images | 240606-N-AV754-8928 NORFOLK, Va. (June 6, 2024) Fleet Master Chief John Perryman, Fleet Master Chief, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC), speaks with Sailors of the year from various commands under the purview of USFFC during the 2024 Sailor of the Year announcement dinner, June 6th, 2024. The dinner is the culmination of a weeklong series of events that concludes with the announcement of the 2023 sea and shore Sailors of the Year. Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year will be meritoriously advanced to chief petty officer. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Evan Thompson/Released)
SLIDESHOW | images | 240606-N-AV754-8359 NORFOLK, Va. (June 6, 2024) Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, delivers remarks during the 2024 USFFC Sailor of the Year announcement dinner, June 6th 2024. The dinner is the culmination of a weeklong series of events that concludes with the announcement of the 2023 sea and shore Sailors of the Year. Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year will be meritoriously advanced to chief petty officer. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Evan Thompson/Released)
SLIDESHOW | images | 240606-N-AV754-6861 NORFOLK, Va. (June 6, 2024) Rep. Jen Kiggans of Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, delivers remarks during the 2024 U.S. Fleet Forces Command Sailor of the Year announcement dinner, June 6th 2024. The dinner is the culmination of a weeklong series of events that concludes with the announcement of the 2023 sea and shore Sailors of the Year. Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year will be meritoriously advanced to chief petty officer. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Evan Thompson/Released)
SLIDESHOW | images | 240606-N-AV754-2228 NORFOLK, Va. (June 6, 2024) Personnel Specialist 1st Class Kangni Somado Folly, assigned to U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC), performs as part of the color guard during the 2024 Sailor of the Year announcement dinner, June 6th, 2024. The dinner is the culmination of a weeklong series of events that concludes with the announcement of the 2023 sea and shore Sailors of the Year. Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year will be meritoriously advanced to chief petty officer. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Evan Thompson/Released)
NORFOLK - Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) Command, announced the 2023 USFF and Type Command (TYCOM) Fleet Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year (SOY), June 6 at the seaside Marriot Hotel in Norfolk.
Adm. Daryl L. Caudle named Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (FMF/SW/AW) Sara Freeman, assigned to 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, as the 2023 Sea SOY, and Hull Technician 1st Class (SW) Tom Hodge – PCU John Basilone (DDG 122), as the 2023 Shore SOY.
“It is incredible to see the entire Hampton Roads community gathered here tonight – and it’s even more special since we are joined together here with our families, friends, tremendous leaders, and mentors from across the waterfront, all gathered to recognize some of the Navy’s Top Talent! This is truly the best part of my job as Fleet Forces Commander,” said Caudle. “I would also like to extend my personal thanks and sincere appreciation to all whom so graciously supported this incredibly important week.”
This year Caudle hosted approximately 50 SOY candidates from commands around the fleet during the week-long schedule of events.
SOY candidates spent the week in Norfolk with spouses and mentors participating in leadership, heritage, and team building events. They also completed the oral board component of the selection process.
Of the 50 candidates for SOY, 10 were selected as finalists.
“These ten Sailors were hand-selected from the 125,000 Sailors under my charge as U.S. Fleet Forces Command. No pressure, but I can’t wait to see what you can accomplish while wearing Khakis,” Caudle said. “This week, I was fortunate to be able to spend some time getting to know each of them, and many of their families, and I can tell you from first-hand experience, these sea and shore Sailors are undoubtedly the best of the best – hands down, no exceptions.”
The gravity of the moment made an impression on candidates, finalists, and SOY selectees.
“It’s surreal and extremely humbling,” said Freeman. “I am a direct reflection of my leadership, peers, juniors and I am proud to represent U.S. Fleet Forces, Marine Corps Force Command and all Sailors fleet wide.”
The SOY program recognizes the best Sailors throughout the fleet and awards the selectees with meritorious advancement to Chief Petty Officer.
“These programs are essential for Sailor morale. Recognition is one of the basic things that leadership can and should do,” said Freeman. “These programs let Sailors know their hard work does not go unseen and that they are doing great things for their teammates, commands, and the Navy.”
The SOY program, established in 1972 by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Whittet, recognizes high-performing E-4 through E-6 Sailors across the fleet. The intent of the competition is to recognize individual Sailors who best represent the ideals of the professional Sailor and the Navy. Initially only Atlantic and Pacific Fleet Sailors on sea duty were recognized. Within 10 years, however, the SOY program was expanded to include shore duty and Navy Reserve Sailors.
Finalists for Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year:
HM1 (FMF/SW/AW) Sara A. Freeman – 8th Engineer Support Battalion (BSB), 2nd Marine Logistics Group (MLG), MARFORCOM.
AO1 (AW/SW) Cody A. Martin – Navy Munitions Command Atlantic (NMCLANT) Detachment Bahrain, NMCLANT.
YN1 (SW/AW) Sammy A. Young Jr. – USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) Medical Treatment Facility, MSC.
CS1 (SW/AW) Michelle G. Miller – Commander, Carrier Strike Group FOUR (CSG-4), CTF 80.
FC1 (SW) Crystal Saucedo – Commander, U.S. SIXTH Fleet, Maritime Component Command, Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles Detachment, NAVEUR/NAVAF.
Finalists for Fleet Shore Sailor of the Year:
HT1 (SW) Tom K. Hodge – PCU John Basilone (DDG 122), SURFLANT.
CTT1 (SW) Kaitlyn E. Williams – Commander, U.S. SECOND Fleet, USFF DRA.
ND1 (DWS/EXW) Thomas G. Liddy – Naval Submarine Support Facility (NSSF) New London, SUBLANT.
PR1 (AW) Steven J. Terry – Commander, Fleet Air Sigonella Detachment Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachment (AIMD), AIRLANT.
HM1 (FMF) Efrain M. Barrera – Field Medical Training Battalion – East (FMTB-E), MARFORCOM.
