NAS Jax announces Sailors of the Year

By Kaylee LaRocque

NAS Jax Public Affairs Specialist

NAS Jacksonville recently announced  its 2012 Sailors of the Year during a command quarters.

NC1(SW/AW) Tomeka McDonald of the NAS Jax Command Career Counselor's Officer has been selected as the 2012 NAS Jax Senior Sailor of the Year.

McDonald praises her shipmates for this prestigious recognition. "With the support of my leadership and the great Sailors allowing me to advise them in their personal and professional goals, I have set a standard for others to follow or go beyond. I am shaping the Navy's future every day," she said.

McDonald, a native of Griffin, Ga., joined the Navy in 2001 for job stability.

After completing boot camp and Aviation Maintenance Administration "A" School, McDonald reported to VP-30 at NAS Jacksonville. In July 2004, McDonald transferred to VS-31 where she cross-rated to the Navy Counselor rating. Other tours of duty include USS The Sullivans, Afloat Training Group Mayport and USS Farragut.

In November 2010, McDonald reported aboard NAS Jacksonville where her job is to enhance the personal and professional goals of the Sailors stationed here. During her tour here, she has implemented the command's first Mentorship program, coordinated First Lady Michelle Obama's visit in support of youth mentorship in 16 area high schools, coordinated the base Shipmate to Workmate program and acts as president of the combined command First Class Petty Officers Association.

McDonald is currently focusing her goals on becoming commissioned in the Nurse Corps or as an administrative officer. In her free time, she is working on her Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Care Management and an Associate of Arts Degree in Business Studies.

She also enjoys spending time with her family, mentoring others through her church, rollerskating and playing bingo.

IT2(IDW/SW) Tranette Harding of the NAS Jax Security Manager's Office is the 2012 NAS Jax Sailor of the Year.

Harding, a native of Milwaukee, joined the Navy in August 2006. "I joined the Navy as a stepping stone to do something different from the norm in my hometown. I didn't qualify for a Pell Grant to attend college, so I decided this was a better route for an education and job experience."

After attending boot camp in Great Lakes, Ill. and Information Systems Technician "A" School, Harding was assigned on board USS Boxer (LHD-4) in San Diego. From there she reported to Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Sigonella, Italy.

Harding reported to NAS Jax in October 2011 where she helps manage division personnel and security manager programs including monitoring active security clearances for all military, contractors and Department of Defense civilians. She is also responsible for executing foreign national visits aboard the station by inspecting documentation to ensure all requests are properly documented.

In the future, Harding plans to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Science in Accounting and hopes to be selected for the Limited Duty Officer or Seaman-to-Admiral 21 program.  

During her off-duty hours, Harding works on college credits and spends time with her family.

As for being recognized, Harding stresses the award is not about her accomplishments. "The reason why someone should be selected as a Sailor of the Year should never be for them. It should always be for the people above them, who thought highly enough of them to submit them for such an honor.  Also, it is for the junior people who they inspire," she said. "To be a great leader, one must have the heart of a servant.  I am here to serve, and I serve those I lead with honor, courage, and commitment. That is who I am, and that is who I inspire others to be."

AC2 Viktor Fisher of the NAS Jax Air Operations Department has been named the 2012 NAS Jax Junior Sailor of the Year.

Fisher was born and raised in the Russian Federation, and moved to the United States when I was 12. He joined the Navy in March 2011. "I've always been interested in air traffic control because it seemed like something exhilarating, challenging and rewarding both on a personal and a professional level," said Fisher.

After completing boot camp and Air Traffic Controller "A" School in Pensacola, Fla., Fisher reported to the NAS Jax air traffic control tower where his primary duties and responsibilities are to monitor aircraft and provide traffic and safety alerts. This includes vectoring aircraft towards the airport and issuing necessary instruction to pilots conducting final approaches.

Fisher's future goals are to become a limited duty officer (LDO) in the Navy. "Due to satisfaction and enjoyment that I get from air traffic control, I would like to explore it to the best of my abilities and eventually submit an LDO package," he said.

When he's not working, Fisher spends his time volunteering for the Wounded Warrior Project, playing the guitar and reading.

According to Fisher, he is thrilled to be recognized. "Winning this award is a great honor and a personal accomplishment. I think it's a great stepping-stone for someone like me, who is just starting their career in the United States Navy," he stated. "Most of all I am pleased that such an accomplishment will make my friends and family proud of me."

AC3 Joseph Barry of the NAS Jax Air Operations Department is the 2012 NAS Jax Blue Jacket of the Year.

"I'm proud and honored to be selected to represent Air Ops. I was surprised to win the award with all the great Sailors I competed against. It is truly an honor and a great accomplishment to win. My command and department have put me on the right course in my young naval career," said Barry.

A native of Duncan, S.C., Barry joined the Navy on July 13, 2011. "I joined because I wanted to challenge myself and do a job that I could take pride in as well as a job that could challenge me and push me. Air traffic control has certainly done that and I'm proud to be in this rate," stated Barry.

After completing boot camp and Air Traffic Controller "A" School in Pensacola, Fla., Barry reported to NAS Jax where he works as an air traffic controller formulating and issuing ground clearances to aircraft taxiing to and from the runway and overseeing vehicle movement on the airfield.

In the future, Barry plans to complete his bachelor's degree and become fully qualified in his current job.

During his free time, Barry spends time studying and at the gym. "I like to work out and as an air traffic controller I have to keep studying my job field so I spend a lot of time 'in the books.' I also volunteer at the Wounded Warrior Project," he said.