THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 26, 1996 TAG: 9604260547
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
The Atlantic Fleet honored 1st class petty officers Charles W. Kixmiller and Atkins Jinadu as the best of the best Thursday night.
Kixmiller was selected as the 1996 Sea Sailor of the Year, and Jinadu won the honor as the shore counterpart, in a ceremony aboard the John C. Stennis at the Norfolk Naval Station.
The awards represent the top honors for the Navy's mid-career enlisted ranks.
The selections end a four-month screening process in which the professional records, duty assignments, awards and civic involvement of each of nine finalists were examined. A selection board composed of master chief petty officers, which met with the candidates Tuesday, made the final decision.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., was the featured speaker at the banquet Thursday evening, where Adm. William J. Flanagan Jr., commander-in-chief of the Atlantic Fleet, announced the winners.
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.
Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare 1st Class Kixmiller, 31, is a native of Jacksonville, Fla. He 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.
Gas Turbine Systems Technician 1st Class 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. by CNB