Written by James Stockman, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs Office
PENSACOLA, Fla. – Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) named Pace, Florida native and Wewahitchka High School Class of 2008 graduate the 2023 Sailor of the Year (SOY) during a ceremony May 16 at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. ) was awarded. 2024.
Deck Chief 1st Class Brandon Tift, an instructor at the Pacific Maritime Training Center in San Diego, was one of four finalists recognized for his dedication to developing and fielding combat-ready combatants into the fleet. was.
“This command has put me in front of hundreds of Sailors, and it has made me a better leader, instructor, and mentor,” Tift said. “His teaching of five different courses at all levels of our community gives him the opportunity to hear from seafarers from all walks of life and share his love of being a deckhand’s mate. .”
Tifft attributes much of his success to the values he acquired while growing up in a small community in West Florida.
“Growing up in a small town, I learned how important community is and how important it is to help people in their time of need,” Tift said. “When a neighbor needs your help, you stop what you're doing, no matter how important, and help them. I found many similarities throughout my career in the Navy. , I look back at the impact that had on me: When a junior sailor comes to me asking for help with training or something, no matter how important I think what I'm doing, I stop him. Nothing is more important than helping. I saw firsthand the effect it had on me as a junior sailor when I sought out training and when leadership pushed me into more “important” jobs. I did. I treat my department as a community and each Sailor as a neighbor. I will always stop and help. ”
Like many who have answered our nation's call to service, Tift joined the Navy to gain a sense of purpose and continue his family's legacy of military service.
“My grandfather served in the military and I was always proud to see how much he loved his country,” Tift said. “I was talking to my dad one day and told him that ever since an injury kept him from playing college football, he was having a hard time finding purpose or value in what he was doing. I thought about my grandfather's story in Germany during World War II and the idea that I would one day be able to tell my story of service to my country to my grandchildren. I wanted to do something meaningful. I wanted to make my grandpa proud. I went to meet the recruiter and quickly learned that there was a shortage in the Navy.”
Tift, who works as an instructor at the Naval Academy, sees first-hand the challenges young sailors face during training and has advice for those considering military service.
“I would tell anyone considering joining the Navy that it could be the best decision of your life, or it could be the hardest decision of your life,” Tift said. said. “There is no easy job that comes with true fulfillment and respect. A career in the Navy is challenging and difficult, but it makes everyone you know proud to have served your country and sacrificed for the freedom of those you love.” It will make you think.”
Sailors serving across the MyNavy HR Force Development domain competed against approximately 11,000 instructors and staff members for this prestigious honor. Tift and his three other finalists demonstrated excellent and sustained performance in their respective roles and demonstrated great ability as leaders and mentors in their respective commands.
“A close race at this level is a testament to the four finalists and their professionalism and dedication,” said NETC Commander Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Cherevko, who spoke at the ceremony. “Each of these Sailors has been an inspiration to their friends, family, and fellow Sailors. We look forward to hearing about their continued successes throughout their naval careers.”
As a NETC SOY, Mr. Tift will be promoted to Chief Petty Officer.
Other SOY finalists include:
• Naval Diver 1st Class Zachary Corrente, Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, Panama City, Florida.
• Flight Boatswain (Equipment) 1st Class John M. Pintore, Naval Aviation Technical Training Center, Detachment Lakehurst, New Jersey.
• Colin R. Greggs, Musician 1st Class, Naval School of Music, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
NETC recruits, trains, and deploys individuals to serve our nation “from the streets to the fleet” by transforming civilians into highly skilled, operationally capable, and combat-ready combatants.
For more information about NETC, visit the command's website at https://www.netc.navy.mil/ and follow the command on social media: Facebook at https://www.facebook. com/NETCHQ), Instagram (https://) www.instagram.com/netc_hq, X (https://twitter.com/NETC_HQ), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/netchq/) .
Obtained data: | May 17, 2024 |
Post date: | May 17, 2024 07:55 |
Story ID: | 471521 |
position: | Pensacola, Florida, USA |
Web view: | 11 |
download: | 0 |
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