Health, Safety, Fitness Community Service Award Winners for 2010 Announced

By Ed Barker, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Twelve commands were recognized for community service excellence as the chief of naval operations (CNO) announced the Health, Safety, and Fitness Flagship awards for calendar year 2010 in NAVADMIN 014/11, Jan. 19.

Managed by the flag sponsor, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), the award recognizes commands with the best overall community service programs teaching and encouraging individuals, especially youth, to lead healthy and active lives.

"The Navy's Health, Safety and Fitness Flagship promotes healthy and fit lifestyles through command partnerships with schools and communities," said Henry Giles, NETC Community Service and Outreach director. "Sailors from shore-based and afloat commands are out in the community, around the world, helping to educate and set a good example for kids and their families."

Health, safety and fitness project initiatives are part of the Navy's Community Service program. The Health, Safety and Fitness program features Navy volunteers who visit schools and neighborhoods to share information and give practical training that focuses on nutrition, hygiene, mental health, disease prevention, leisure skills development, personal safety, drug demand reduction, sports and recreation.

Examples of command-sponsored health, safety and fitness events are Special Olympics, the Great American Smokeout, safety and health fairs, and the President's Award on Physical Fitness and Sports.

The Navy Community Service Program (NCSP) was launched in 1992 by then CNO Admiral Frank B. Kelso. The program's goal is to foster and nurture community ties with the Navy and promote volunteerism while developing better Navy leaders through experience in the program.

NCSP consists of five flagships, including the Health, Safety, and Fitness Flagship;

Personal Excellence Partnership Flagship; Project Good Neighbor Flagship; Campaign Drug Free Flagship; and the Environmental Stewardship Flagship. A separate Navy command sponsors and administers each flagship.

As the Health, Safety, and Fitness Flagship sponsor, NETC is responsible for coordinating policy that encourages volunteer participation. NETC also provides flagship project information and technical support to Navy commands, and holds an annual awards board to select and publicize Navy-wide flagship award winners.

According to Rear Adm. Joseph F. Kilkenny, NETC commander, taking the time to devote to improving health, safety and fitness can have lasting effects.

"The commands that participated in the Health Safety and Fitness Flagship have demonstrated the importance of a healthy lifestyle by partnering with their neighbors and leading by example," said Kilkenny. "Those positive influences and resulting changes can last a lifetime. These commands have my sincere appreciation for their personal commitment and support of our Navy's Community Service program."

The winners for the 2010 shore command category are:

Large command (500 personnel or more) - Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, Ga.

Medium command (200-499 personnel) - Navy Information Operations Command, Sugar Grove W. Va.

Small command (200 command personnel or less) - Trident Training Facility, Kings Bay, Ga.

The winners for the 2010 Sea command category include:

Large command - USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)

Medium command - USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19)

Small command - USS Maryland (SSBN 738) Blue

Commands receiving honorable mentions include:

large shore command - Navy Information Operations Command Maryland, Fort Meade, Md.; and Naval Station Newport, Newport, R.I.;

medium shore command – Naval Air Station Meridian, Meridian, Miss., and Navy Information Operations Command Colorado, Aurora, Colo.;

small shore command – Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and Surface Warfare Officers School, Newport, R.I.

USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) won for the second year in a row and USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) won for the third year in a row.

Award winners will receive commemorative plaques and units that merited honorable mention will receive certificates from NETC.

For more information about the Health, Safety, and Fitness Flagship visit the NETC website at https://www.netc.navy.mil/ or the Navy Community Service Program website at http://www.mwr.navy.mil/ncsp/index.htm.

For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnet/.