NAVSUP Announces 2012 Sailor of the Year

By David Rea, Naval Supply Systems Command

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (NNS) -- The commander of Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Rear Adm. Mark Heinrich named the NAVSUP 2012 Sailor of the Year during a ceremony held at NAVSUP Headquarters, Mechanicsburg, Pa., Jan. 18.

Rear Adm. Mark Heinrich selected Logistics Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Aida Gonzalez, currently serving as leading petty officer, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka, Site Atsugi, Japan, as the Sailor of the Year for her logistics and managerial expertise.

Gonzalez and Logistics Specialist 1st Class (SW/EXW) Washington Jaramillo, who currently serves at NAVSUP Weapons Systems Support in Philadelphia, were finalists for the award.

"These Sailors are the best of the best, having already been named Sailors of the Year at NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka and NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support," said Heinrich, who addressed those attending the ceremony. "The outstanding work that earned them these honors defines them as role models for us all."

Gonzalez serves as leading petty officer for 26 military and 75 civilian personnel. Her duties include managing more than 6,400 aviation consumable items valued at more than $7 million, while maintaining 98 percent inventory accuracy, 100 percent location validity, and 98 percent effectiveness. She was recognized for her managerial expertise, as she oversaw the management of a shelf-life program, processed more than 19,000 line items, shipped more than 5,000 high priority requisitions, and directed the movement of 7,000 tons of cargo in support of forward deployed operations in 2012.

"Petty Officer Gonzalez has certainly earned this honor," said Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Sidney Dawson, who serves as the command master chief for the supply enlisted community. "She is truly a consummate professional and leader, and she represents the very best from across the NAVSUP enterprise."

Gonzalez enlisted in the U.S. Navy in June 1994, completed basic training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, and then attended Aviation Storekeeper Class "A" School in Meridian, Miss. Her first duty was aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68), where she served as the Material Control Clerk in the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department.

Her previous assignments include Personnel Support Detachment Bremerton, Wash., as the Supply Logistics Coordinator; USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Bremerton, Wash.; Work Center Supervisor and Logistics Technician, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 1, Patuxent River, Md.; leading petty pfficer, Special Projects Patrol Squadron 1 (VPU 1), Brunswick, Maine; leading petty officer, Aviation Support Detachment, Brunswick, Maine; and S-6 Division Leading Petty Officer, USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).

"I am able to accomplish what I can on a daily basis because of my family and the support and fellowship of my Sailors, and my leadership," Gonzalez said. "This has been a very special week for me, and I am very honored to receive this award."

Gonzalez said she hopes to be selected for chief petty officer. "This will allow me to join the great chiefs' community, and I will have a greater opportunity to share guidance and inspiration with my Sailors."

The NAVSUP and Navy Supply Corps team share one mission--to deliver sustained global logistics and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter. NAVSUP/Navy Supply Corps' diverse team of more than 25,000 civilian and military personnel oversee a diverse portfolio including supply chain management for material support to Navy, Marine Corps, joint and coalition partners, supply operations, conventional ordnance, contracting, resale, fuel, transportation, security assistance, and quality of life issues for our naval forces, including food service, postal services, Navy Exchanges, and movement of household goods. The NAVSUP/Navy Supply Corps team forms a vast network of professionals who deliver unparalleled products and services to customers in the fleet and across the world.