3400

                                                         Ser 00/

                                                         19 XXX 0X

 

From:  Commanding Officer,

To:    President, Association of Aviation Ordnancemen

 

Subj:  2002 JOHN W. FINN AVIATION ORDNANCEMAN OF THE YEAR

       NOMINATION ICO AO1(AW) XXXX X. XXXXXXX, USN, XXX-XX-XXXX

 

Ref:   (a) NAS FALLON NV MSG DTG

 

Encl:  (1) Biography

       (2) Full-length 5x7 photograph

       (3) Evaluations (Current plus past two)

       (4) Award Citations

 

1.  Per reference (a), (Command) proudly nominates AO1(AW) XXXX X. XXXXXXX as our candidate for the 200X John W. Finn Aviation Ordnancemen of the Year award.

 

2.  The following information is provided:

 

    a.  Name/Rate/SSN:

 

b.         Date and Place of Enlistment:

 

    c.  Advancement History:

 

        (1) E-1: 04 October 1988

 

        (2) E-2: 16 March 1989

 

        (3) E-3: 16 September 1989

 

        (4) E-4: 16 August 1990

 

        (5) E-5: 16 January 1993

 

        (6) E-6: 07 June 1997

 

    d.  Dependents:

 

    e.  Brief synopsis of significant professional achievements warranting selection:

 

        (1) Petty Officer XXXXXXX is an exceptionally dedicated, career oriented Sailor who is truly committed to his family, his command, his Navy, and his country.  He maintains steadfast loyalty to mission accomplishment and professional development of junior personnel.  His effective leadership and mastery of instructional methodology make him a skillful instructor who ensures only the highest quality training is provided to his students.  He was a key factor in our selection for the 2001 CNET Training Excellence Award.

 

        (2) His unparalleled knowledge of all F-14 and F/A-18 air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons systems and strict adherence to safety procedures are directly responsible for the successful completion of over 520 instructional hours.

 

        (3) He aggressively pursued the role as vice president of this command's Petty Officer Association.  Shortly after taking office, he revived the lackluster association and made it a cohesive group with a more powerful voice.  His enthusiastic drive and initiative led to an immediate increase in association membership.  Under his tenure, the association has assumed responsibility for selecting Junior Sailor of the Month/Quarter and has pioneered many new command policies.

 

        (4) Earned the coveted designation as a Master Training Specialist (MTS).  He selflessly developed the MTS training guide currently used throughout the command.  This interest in the professional development of peers and subordinates has already resulted in the designation of 27 additional Master Training Specialists.  He is also an Instructor Evaluator responsible for maintaining the high standards for quality instruction throughout the command.

 

        (5) Actively pursued certification to teach F/A-18 armament systems in addition to his billeted area of expertise in the F-14.  His efforts provide us greater flexibility in meeting the increasing needs of the fleet.  He is the only First Class Petty Officer in the command qualified to instruct two platforms.

 

        (6) He was the catalyst in developing the first F-14 conventional weapons loading course.  With the incorporation of this newly acquired course, our inert weapons inventory will increase by 60 percent to ensure valuable hands on training for all weapons currently employed by the F-14 aircraft.

 

 

        (7) Maintained a flawless inert ordnance program that received zero discrepancies from the recent OSHME inspection and was lauded by inspectors as “the best in the fleet”.  His administrative prowess and keen attention to detail are evident in every facet of a program that accounts for 50 items worth over $2 million.  He is currently coordinating the combined efforts of NAS Oceana's ordnance department,

COMNAVAIRLANT, and NAMTRAGRU Headquarters to streamline the inspection process for airborne weapon support equipment (AWSE).

 

        (8) Currently developing a first of its kind shipboard tow banner rigging lab that will be incorporated into the F-14 Armament Career course.  Upon graduation, students will be able to properly rig or launch tow banners both ashore and afloat.

 

    f.  Awards.

 

Awards                          Command              Date Received

Navy/Marine Corps

Achievement Medal (4^th)          VF-143               98AUG01

Navy/Marine Corps

Achievement Medal (3^rd)          VF-143               98JUN30

Navy/Marine Corps               NAS Oceana

Achievement Medal (2^nd)          Weapons              95APR27

Navy/Marine Corps

Achievement Medal (1^st)          VF-103               92AUG11

Navy Unit Commendation (2^nd)     VF-143               98MAY01

Navy Unit Commendation (1^st)     VF-103               91FEB28

Navy “E” Ribbon (4^th)            VF-143               98DEC31

Navy “E” Ribbon (3^rd)            VF-143               96DEC31

Navy “E” Ribbon (2^nd)            VF-103               92DEC31

Navy “E” Ribbon (1^st)            VF-103               91DEC31

Good Conduct Medal (4^th)         NAMTRAU Oceana       02JAN01

Good Conduct Medal (3^rd)         VF-143               99JAN01

Good Conduct Medal (2^nd)         VF-143               96JAN01

Good Conduct Medal (1^st)         VF-103               92SEP03

National Defense Medal (2^nd)     NAMTRAU Oceana       02JUN15

National Defense Medal (1^st)     VF-103               91FEB28

Armed Forces Expeditionary

Medal (2nd)                     VF-143               96MAR22

Armed Forces Expeditionary

Medal (1st)                     VF-103               98FEB29

Southwest Asia Service

Medal (2 bronze stars)          VF-103               91FEB28

Armed Forces Service

Medal                           VF-143               96FEB13

Navy Sea Service               

Deployment Ribbon (4^th)          VF-143               98NOV02

Navy Sea Service

Deployment Ribbon (3^rd)          VF-143               96APR24

Navy Sea Service

Deployment Ribbon (2^nd)          VF-103               92AUG03

Navy Sea Service

Deployment Ribbon (1^st)          VF-103               90NOV02

NATO Medal                      VF-143               96JUN30

Kuwait Liberation Medal

(Saudi Arabia)                  VF-103               91FEB28

Kuwait Liberation Medal

(Kuwait)                        VF-143               95NOV30

Navy Rifle Expert Medal         VF-143               99APR15

Navy Pistol

Sharpshooter Ribbon             VF-143               96SEP12

Letter of Commendation          NAMTRAU Oceana       02JAN15

Letter of Commendation          NAMTRAU Oceana       02JAN05

Letter of Commendation          VF-143               97OCT31

Letter of Commendation          VF-143               97JAN31

Letter of Commendation          VF-143               95NOV30

Letter of Commendation          VF-103               92OCT30

Letter of Commendation          VF-103               91MAR30

Letter of Commendation          VF-103               90JUN30

Letter of Commendation          VF-103               89DEC31

Letter of Appreciation          VF-143               99JAN27

Letter of Appreciation          VF-103               90JAN17

 

 

    g.  Educational Background:

 

        (1) Graduated from High School in 1988.

 

        (2) Self-study Achievements (correspondence courses):

 

            (a) Management Fundamentals for Senior Chief and Master Chief Petty Officer.

 

            (b) Communications Material Security Custodian.

 

            (c) Public Affairs Policy and Regulations.

 

            (d) Blueprint Reading and Sketching.

 

            (e) Naval Safety Supervisor.

 

            (f) Equal Opportunity in the Navy.

 

            (h) Motor Vehicle and Railcar Shipment Inspector/Supervisor for Transportation of Ammunition, Explosives, and Hazardous Material.

 

        (3) Navy Schools:

 

            (a) Aviation Ordnancemen Class “A” School.

 

            (b) F-14 Armament Systems Maintenance.

 

            (c) F-14 Conventional Weapons Loading.

 

            (d) Navy Leadership Training Continuum.

 

            (e) Basic Instructor Training.

            (f) Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor.

            (g) Command Financial Specialist.

            (h) Air Launched Missiles Intermediate Maintenance. 

    h.  Community Involvement:

 

        (1) Active member in the National and Fourth Chapters of the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen in Virginia Beach, VA.  He personally designed the graphics used for the program used at the Association's annual convention.

 

        (2) Volunteered 26 off-duty hours to fundraising efforts for the local Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters.

 

        (3) Vice President of the local Beach Cruisers car club.  He sponsored a local family during the last Christmas holiday and organized a statewide PT Cruiser Rally that helped raise $2,000 for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

 

        (4) Organized a team of volunteers that donated over 100 hours at the recent Virginia Beach Rock-N-Roll half marathon.  Their efforts helped raise untold thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society.

 

    i.  Commanding Officer’s Comments:  Petty Officer XXXXXXXX is undoubtedly the most skilled Ordnancemen I have ever observed.  He is an exceptional instructor who possesses superb leadership skills, razor sharp foresight, and unparalleled dedication to mission success.  The lasting, positive effect he has on the ordnance community's leaders of tomorrow will benefit Navy and Marine Corps aviation for years to come.  His efforts also served to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the personnel who train those young men and women.  His combined talents as a leader, manager and technician far exceed those normally exhibited in a First Class Petty Officer. He constantly seeks increased responsibility and earns complete trust and confidence from peers and superiors alike.  Petty Officer XXXXXXX truly earns my strongest possible recommendation as the 200X John W. Finn Ordnancemen of the Year.

 

 

 

                                   SIGNED BY HIS/HER CO

                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

(NO OTHER ENDORSEMENTS REQUIRED, NOR ARE THEY DESIRED BY THE SELECTION BOARD)

 

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