Navy Recruiting Command Honors Top Recruiters

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Sonja M. Chambers, Commander, Navy Recruiting Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Navy Recruiting Command (NRC) recognized its FY 2012 Recruiters of the Year (ROY) during a ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., Jan. 9.

Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, Rear Adm. Earl L. Gay, honored 13 of NRC's top Active and Reserve recruiters from around the world.

Guest speaker, Chief of Naval Personnel, Vice Adm. Scott R. Van Buskirk, said the Navy relies on recruiters to find new talent for the Navy's future.

"There is no Navy without Sailors and there are no Sailors without recruiters," he said. "The successful completion of our Navy's global mission begins by recruiting the best and the brightest of our nation's young men and women to serve. Because of the hard work and dedication of our recruiters, today's force is more intelligent, more fit and more diverse than we've ever seen. Our awardees have separated themselves from among their peers by performing exemplary service in recruiting the next generation Sailor."

Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW) Matthew Tucker, Enlisted Recruiter of the Year, Active, said receiving the honor was a very humbling experience.

"I know there are many people out there just like me grinding and trying to get the job done, so I'm very happy and honored to receive this award," he said.

Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) 1st Class (SW) Duane Curato, Enlisted Recruiter of the Year, Reserve, said mentoring and leadership were key to his success.

"Being a recruiter is not difficult," he said. "You just have to be on top of your game and ask your leaders for guidance because they are always there to support you."

The ceremony was part of a week-long event honoring the ROY. Recruiters and their guests visited many top Navy officials including Secretary of the Navy the Honorable Ray Mabus; Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Mark Ferguson, and Chief of Navy Reserve, Commander, Navy Reserve Force, Vice Adm. Robin R. Braun. They also toured various D.C. sites, including the White House, Pentagon, Library of Congress and Arlington National Cemetery where the two Enlisted ROY placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Other top recruiters for FY 2012 were: Lt. Lincoln Schneider, Officer Recruiter of the Year, Active; Lt. Stephen Graff, Officer Recruiter of the Year, Reserve; Electrician's Mate 1st Class (SS) Daniel Macomber, Nuclear Field Coordinator of the Year; Navy Counselor 1st Class (AW/SW) Brian Dubose, Station Leading Petty Officer of the Year; Personnel Specialist 1st Class (SW) Benjamin Erdelyi, Jr., Classifier of the Year; Chief Navy Counselor (SW) Dewayne Scott, Division Leading Chief Petty Officer of the Year; Fire Controlman 1st Class (SW) Aurelio Herrera, Diversity Enlisted Recruiter of the Year; Lt. Carolyn Starks-Holman, Medical Officer Recruiter of the Year; Navy Counselor 1st Class (SS) Brian Fields, Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Recruiter of the Year; Gunner's Mate 2nd Class (EXW) Conner Mastry, Navy Special Warfare/Navy Special Operations Recruiter of the Year; Personnel Specialist 1st Class (AW) Kerri Scranton, Support Person of the Year.