Naval Surface Force Pacific and Atlantic Name Sea, Shore Sailors of the Year

SAN DIEGO - Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVSURFPAC) and Naval Surface Force Atlantic (COMNAVSURFLANT), have named their 2019 Shore and Sea Sailors of the Year (SOY).

Navy Career Counselor 1st Class Brenda V. Lemas, assigned to Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron (COMLCSRON) 1, was named Shore SOY and Yeoman 1st Class Vinish Nair, assigned to the Arleigh Burkeclass destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) was By Mass Communication named Sea SOY for CNSP. Specialist 2nd Class Alex

SURFLANT announced Boatswain’s Millar, Commander, Mate 1st Class Derek Rish, assigned to the Naval Surface Force, U.S. Ticonderoga-class guided missile-cruiser Pacific Fleet Public Affairs USS Monterey (CG 61) as the Sea SOY and Information Systems Technician 1st Class Chris Manley, assigned to Naval Surface Force Atlantic as the Shore SOY.

Due to social distancing directives during the COVID-19 virus outbreak, the traditional in-person SOY boards were cancelled but were held via phone conference. The winner announcements were made via personal congratulatory e-mails.

Lemas, a native of McAllen, Texas, was notified by her commodore and command master chief and couldn’t thank them and her past mentors enough for their relentless leadership.

“I would like to thank my leadership for believing in me and providing opportunities to enhance my leadership abilities, said Lemas. “Thank you for trusting me with leading and helping to develop Sailors.

Nair, a native of Albany, New York, was notified by a personal congratulatory email from COMNAVSURFPAC Force Master Chief James Osborne. Nair also thanked his command leadership and added some advice for his shipmates.

“It is important to remember no matter how high you climb the ladder of success, we have a moral obligation to pay it forward,” said Nair. “Mentor and guide those that are following after you and help them attain the success that they deserve.”

Osborne spoke highly of these two Sailors based on their success in the Navy and encouraged them to keep striving for excellence.

“In their selection as the CNSP Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year, they competed and were selected from amongst hundreds if not over a thousand first class petty officers across the TYCOM. That in and of itself is an accomplishment to be proud and humbled to earn,” said Osborne. “[You] are winners at the highest level, continue to do your best in representing your command, your family and yourself.”

Rish, a native of Raymore, Missouri, expressed both humility and surprise on the accomplishment.

“This is a great accomplishment for myself, but I really wish I could break it up and share the wealth,” Rish said. “From my own mentors to my most junior Sailors, they all deserve recognition too.”

Manley is a native of Victorvile, California, shared many of Rish’s feelings after the announcement.

“I am surprised to say the least and this is a great recognition of many years of hard work,” Manley said. “I still have to strive for excellence and be the best Sailor and mentor I can be. I will savor this moment though with my peers and Sailors.”

COMNAVSURFLANT Force Master Chief Kevin Goodrich explained how Rish and Manley stood out from their competition.

“These winners serve as the premiere example of a first class petty officer,” said Goodrich. “All the finalists are fantastic Sailors, but the winners are the best that [COMNAVSURFLANT] have to offer, and I could not be happier with our choices.”

SOY is a time-honored tradition introduced in 1972 by Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Whittet. This annual competition is held to recognize superior performance of individual Sailors, who best exemplify the ideals of professional Sailor throughout the fleet. *

“These winners serve as the premiere example of a first class petty officer, All the finalists are fantastic Sailors, but the winners are the best that [COMNAVSURFLANT] have to offer.”

Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Shore Sailor of the Year Navy Career Counselor 1st Class Brenda V. Lemas

Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year Yeoman 1st Class Vinish Nair

Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Shore Sailor of the Year Information System Technician 1st Class Chris Manley

Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Derek Rish