THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 24, 1996 TAG: 9604230379
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Long : 145 lines
The Atlantic Fleet honors its best this week, selecting the 1996 Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year from its mid-career enlisted ranks.
The two winners will be named during a banquet aboard the carrier John C. Stennis that begins at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Norfolk Naval Station.
The selections end a four-month screening process in which the professional records, duty assignments, awards and civic involvement of each candidate were examined. A selection board composed of master chief petty officers, which met with the candidates Tuesday, will make the final decision.
Pared to nine finalists, the men and women, along with their spouses, have been treated to a variety of events this week, attending activities sponsored by the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, area businesses and local civic organizations.
``We have no losers,'' said Atlantic Fleet Master Chief David Borne. ``In a field like this, everybody is a winner. These are remarkable individuals with remarkable careers. I'm really proud to represent them and even prouder to serve with them.''
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., will be the featured speaker at the banquet Thursday evening, where Adm. William J. Flanagan Jr., commander-in-chief of the Atlantic Fleet, will announce the winners. Tickets for the banquet may be obtained from the Chamber of Commerce.
Sailor of the Year has been an annual event in the Atlantic Fleet since 1972. The program was expanded in 1973 to include the outstanding sailor from the shore commands.
The winner of the Sea Sailor of the Year will be advanced to the next-highest pay grade and will serve with the Atlantic Fleet Master Chief for two years, traveling throughout the fleet, meeting with sailors and serving as a role model. The Shore Sailor of the Year will compete with the Pacific Fleet and Naval Forces Europe sailors of the year for the Navy-wide honor. That winner also will be promoted and will serve as special assistant to the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.
Among the awards is a one-week expense-paid trip for the winners and their spouses anywhere in the United States, compliments of the businesses that support the event.
Following are the nine finalists: SEA SAILOR OF THE YEAR
Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Michael Scott Keltner, 32, a native of Lynn Haven, Fla., joined the Navy Oct. 17, 1985. He has been a SEAL since 1987, assigned to SEAL Team One and Six. He is assigned to Naval Special Warfare Development Group, Fleet Combat Training Center, Dam Neck.
Keltner lives with his wife, Vicki, and two sons, Michael and William, in Virginia Beach.
Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare 1st Class Charles W. Kixmiller, 31, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., joined the Navy Sept. 21, 1983. He attended Naval Aircrew Candidate School in Pensacola and served with Patrol Squadron 16 in Jacksonville. He was Sailor of the Quarter in 1989. In 1995 he won the Sensor Operator of the Year Award from Commander Sea Control Wing Atlantic.
Kixmiller lives with his wife, Amber, and daughter, Amanda, in Jacksonville.
Torpedoman Mate 1st Class John W. Youhas, 32, a native of Lorain, Ohio, joined the Navy Aug. 4, 1982. He initially served aboard the submarine tender Canopas, where he was chosen Sailor of the Month in 1984. In 1987 he was assigned to Advanced Undersea Weapons Facility in Jacksonville, Fla., where he was Sailor of the Quarter. In 1993 he completed Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal and is assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit Six in Charleston, S.C.
He and his wife, Deborah Elaine, live in Charleston.
Electronics Technician 1st Class Michael James Hart, 30, a native of Salina, Kan., joined the Navy Sept. 24, 1984. He completed basic electronics school and graduated from Naval Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Fla. He served aboard the attack submarine Queenfish and serves aboard the attack submarine Archerfish in Groton, Conn.
He and his wife, Kim, reside in Groton with their two children, Priscilla and Dalton.
Torpedoman's Mate 1st Class Celeta Burks, 32, a native of Albany, Ga., joined the Navy May 16, 1983. She attended Submarine Torpedo Facility at Charleston, S.C., where she received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for outstanding performance. In 1990 she reported to the submarine tender Hunley in Norfolk, where she earned two additional achievement medals. She is assigned to Yorktown Naval Weapons Station.
She is single and lives in Newport News. SHORE SAILORS OF THE YEAR
Gas Turbine Systems Technician 1st Class Atkins Jinadu, 38, a native of London, England, enlisted in the Navy Oct. 29, 1986. He holds a bachelor's degree in building engineering and design and a master's degree in industrial management. He served aboard the carrier John F. Kennedy, where he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He is assigned to Assault Craft Unit Four at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base where he was named sailor of the year in 1995.
Jinadu is married to Julia. They have two daughters, Krystalina and Tiffany, and three sons, Jason, Riaan and Nolan.
Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class Jana L. Evola, 32, a native of Fort Dodge, Iowa, enlisted in the Navy Oct. 5, 1981. She attended Aviation Maintenance Administrationman school in Meridian, Miss. While stationed with Helicopter Combat Support Squadron One in North Island, Calif., she was nominated for Military Professional Woman of the Year in 1982. She is assigned to Fleet Composite Squadron 40 at the Norfolk Naval Air Station, where she was selected as sailor of the year.
She resides in Virginia Beach with her husband, Aviation Machinist's Mate Senior Chief Randall J. Evola, and their five children, Nichole, Erin, Kayla, Alisha and Brianna.
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Nicolette Ane Marie LeFlore, 32, a native of Gary, Ind., joined the Navy March 4, 1986. She completed Basis Hospital Corps School and Aerospace Medicine Technician school. In 1991 she attended the Navy Drug and Alcohol Counselor School in San Diego and in 1993 attended Instructor Training Course at the Naval Training Center in San Diego. During her tour she received her associate's degree in general studies. This year she will earn a bachelor's degree in social psychology.
She is married to Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Adrian D. LeFlore. They have a son, Adrian D. LeFlore Jr., and reside in Cherry Point, N.C.
Sonar Technician 1st Class John J. Glaze, 34, a native of Poplar Bluff, Mo., joined the Navy in 1987. He served aboard the destroyer Thorn and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for outstanding performance. In 1993 he was named Outstanding Duty Master-at-Arms and transferred to Navy Law Enforcement School at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. He is assigned to Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine. He earned a bachelor's degree and expects to complete his master's degree in personal management and labor arbitration this year.
Glaze resides in Brunswick with his wife and three children. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by LEAH KANAK, U.S. Navy
The Navy's newest aircraft carrier, John C. Stennis (CVN 74), plays
host Thursday to the Atlantic Fleet Sailor of the Year ceremony. The
ship recently completed its 50-day shakedown cruise, which included
a rigorous flight and training schedule. This was the first time
the Stennis was deployed with Carrier Air Wing 8 on board. In 30
days, the air wing flew more than 1,200 sorties, nearly 3,000
hours.
Photos
Celeta Burks
Jana Evola
John Glaze
Atkins Jinadu
Michael Hart
Michael S. Keltner
Charles Kixmiller
Nicolette Leflore
John Youhas
KEYWORDS: U.S. NAVY SAILOR OF THE YEAR by CNB