Training Command Sailor Awarded Shore Mineman of the Year

By Kimberly M. Lansdale, Center for Surface Combat Systems

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Mine Warfare Training Center (MWTC) on board Naval Base Point Loma announced Dec. 23 the selection of one of its instructors as Shore Mineman of the Year for 2013-2014 by The Association of Minemen (AOM).

Mineman 1st Class Rebecca Cross, MWTC's Mineman "A" School leading petty officer (LPO) and also an instructor at the school house, was recognized by AOM for her accomplishments.

"It is a very humbling experience and the highest honor I could receive from my rate," Cross said.

According to Cmdr. Wes Cooper, MWTC's commanding officer, Cross is an extraordinary mineman.

"MWTC is honored that Petty Officer Cross was selected," he said. "She is very involved both inside and outside the mineman community. In addition to being the Mineman "A" school LPO, she is the course manager for our Versatile Exercise Mine Systems course, the command supply officer, ammunition inventory manager, and one of our command career counselors. She also coordinates MWTC volunteer events with numerous organizations in the local community. Petty officer Cross is not only an exceptional representative for MWTC, but also minemen who are stationed throughout the world."

Cross joined the Navy from her hometown of Pensacola, Fla. She has served in the Navy for more than 13 years, including tours on board the now decommissioned OSPREY - class coastal mine hunters USS Raven (MHC 61) and USS Cormorant (MHC 57).

Cross, who has won several Junior and Senior Sailor of the Year awards throughout her Navy career, said as an instructor, she brings her knowledge, experience, and passion for mine warfare to future minemen.

"My philosophy in the classroom is to teach our future minemen to think outside the box and impress on them that as minemen, we either find a way or make one," she said. "We are the bread and butter of the fleet."

Initially, Cross joined the Navy to serve four years but world events impacted her decision to stay in the Navy.

"After the attack on the USS Cole (DDG 67) and the September 11 attacks, I decided to make the Navy a career," she explained. "Mine warfare needs Sailors to do the job."

Cross says she could not have accomplished her goals without the tremendous support of MWTC and her family.

"The staff in Mineman "A" School have been my rock and I share this award with them because without them, it would not have been possible," she said. "I want to thank Cmdr. Cooper, the chief's mess, the Corpus Christi Commander Mobile Mine Assembly Group (COMOMAG), and the Association of Minemen for considering me for this honor. Most importantly, I want to thank my husband John and my family for supporting me in my choice to serve in the greatest Navy in the world in the best rate. John has always been my biggest supporter for my hopes and dreams in the Navy."

The Center for Surface Combat Systems' mission is to develop and deliver surface ship combat systems training to achieve surface warfare superiority. CSCS headquarters' staff oversees 14 learning sites, including Mine Warfare Training Center and provides almost 70,000 hours of curriculum for close to 700 courses a year to more than 40,000 Sailors. The training center uses a mix of blended learning comprised of instructor led classes, hands-on labs, simulation and computer-based training.