MPTE Selects 2011 Sailor of the Year

By Electronics Technician Seaman Russell Tracy, Training Support Center, Great Lakes Public Affairs

GREAT LAKES, Il. (NNS) -- For the first time in history, the Sailor selected as the Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education (MPTE) domain's top Sailor was chosen from a Training Support Center, March 8.

At an awards ceremony held at Naval Support Facility Arlington, Va., Fire Controlman 1st Class William D. Stanford II, Training Support Center (TSC), Great Lakes, was selected as MPTE's 2011 Sailor of the Year (SOY). Stanford serves as TSC Great Lakes leading petty officer (LPO) of the Operations (N3) Division.

Other finalists for MPTE Sailor of the Year included Hull Technician 1st Class Joshua D. Taylor of Navy Personnel Command and Navy Counselor 1st Class Nicholas Davis of Navy Recruiting Command.

"I am extremely humbled and honored to represent Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education," said Stanford. "And I'm proud to represent the Naval Military Training Instructors (NMTI). I hope that I can take this experience and use it to educate and motivate my shipmates because I know without a doubt I would not be here if it weren't for them."

In his remarks to the Sailors during the ceremony, Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Scott Van Buskirk said that the three finalists should be proud.

"You are my top Sailors and the best our entire domain has to offer," Van Buskirk said. "I was struck by some common threads in all three Sailors - your operational proficiency, your success in jobs of increasing responsibility, your integral role to your command's operations, and your exemplary leadership of your shipmates.

"The Navy Ethos says the Navy is composed of Sailors and civilians who exemplify the highest standards of service," he said. "When I look at Petty Officer Stanford, I can see the Navy Ethos in action."

Capt. Peter Lintner, commanding officer of TSC Great Lakes praised Stanford.

"FC1 Stanford is the total package," Lintner said. "He is immaculate in uniform, an articulate speaker who is also a calm compassionate leader, and Petty Officer Stanford cares about our young Sailors. He sets the example, enforces it and then provides the mentorship and leadership to help Sailors get there. Petty Officer Stanford is Sailorization. He is one of the finest Sailors I have had the privilege to work with in my 36-year Navy career."

Rear Adm. Don Quinn, commander NETC, said Stanford is a perfect example of the Navy's greatest strength.

"The Navy's primary strength resides in our people," said Quinn. "And our asymmetric advantage, whether executing combat operations or humanitarian missions, is our training. Petty Officer Stanford personifies the leadership, discipline, and technical expertise we seek in all our Sailors."

A native of Chicago, Ill., Stanford joined the Navy in 1998. After completing Recruit Training he attended Fire Controlman "A" school in Great Lakes, then completed "C" school at Fleet Combat Training Center Atlantic Fleet, Dam Neck, Va. His duty assignments include USS Constellation (CV-64), Naval Recruiting District Chicago, and USS Enterprise (CVN-65). He has completed four deployments in support of Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.

Stanford reported to TSC Great Lakes in April 2010. Initially assigned as an NMTI at the USS Franklin barracks, he was then selected to take over as LPO of the USS Cole barracks. Hand-picked to become the LPO of N3, Stanford leads 147 staff members, including 46 first class petty officers, in the daily mentorship of more than 5,000 Sailors assigned to TSC Great Lakes.

"FC1 Stanford is a professional Sailor in every sense of the word," said TSC Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Robert Tompkins. "His record of achievements, dedication and continued superior performance and leadership at Training Support Center Great Lakes serves as a testament to his commitment to not only to his command, but the community, his shipmates, and the Navy."

In addition to his duties as LPO of N3, Stanford is the President of the TSC Great Lakes First Class Petty Officer Association, a mentor with the Navy Midwest Region Chapter of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions Chapter, and a Petty Officer Indoctrination instructor.

"Petty Officer Stanford is a very energetic Leading Petty Officer," Master Chief Gunner's Mate (EXW/SW) Donald Langlois, N3 leading chief petty officer (LCPO) said. "He is a Bystander Intervention instructor, Task Force Advancement instructor, and the president of the First Class Petty Officer Association which chairs all Junior Sailor of the Quarter boards and student of the month boards. He has contributed extra time working with the local community assisting in disaster drills and assisted in fund raisers for the Navy ball and TSC Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR)."

Stanford also dedicates much of his off duty time to furthering his education. He has completed Journeyman Instructor Training, Navy Military Training Instructor, and Master Training Specialist qualifications. With 12 semester hours completed, Stanford is also on track to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from Excelsior University. His personal awards include the Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal and other service awards.

Stanford will now compete in the Chief of Naval Operations Shore Sailor of the Year competition.