NAS Jax recognizes Sailor of the Year

On being selected, Trammell says she is humbled. "I've always been a worker bee. I love my job and enjoy working with the troops. I've been told I need to start taking care of myself and lead by example. That was a challenge for me because I'm so used to taking care of others," she said. "I'm excited about this but it's very humbling. For someone to recognize the hard work that you do is quite an honor and very rewarding."

Trammel, a native of Wedowee, Ala. joined the Navy because she wanted upward mobility. "I was going to school at night and working during the day and just wasn't progressing as fast as I wanted to career wise. So, I came in the Navy at age 26 and was intent on getting my degree which I'm still working on," she continued. "I came from a small town in Alabama and realized there is a whole big world out there and that there was more out there for me."

After graduating from boot camp at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Ill. in December 1994, she attended Air Traffic Control (AC) "A" School at NAS Pensacola, Fla.

Trammell's first duty station was NAS/Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, Pa. During her tour she was advanced to petty officer second class. Her next tour took her to Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility San Diego where she worked as an air traffic controller and was advanced to petty officer first class.

After completing Amphibious Air Traffic Control "C" School in February 2003, Trammell reported to Tactical Air Control Squadron 21 where she completed two deployments with Commander, Amphibious Squadrons One and Two on board USS Saipan (LHD 2) from March to June 2003 in support of the global war on terrorism and from May to August 2005 in support of the New Horizon 2005 Campaign.

Trammell arrived at NAS Jacksonville in July 2007 where she currently works as the leading petty officer (LPO) and a facility watch supervisor. "As LPO of 60 personnel, my job is to ensure my Sailors are taken care of and properly trained to do their jobs. It's a big responsibility. I love watching a new airman or seaman checking into the command with the 'deer in the headlights look' and see them a year later much more confident and a more seasoned Sailor helping other new Sailors. It's so rewarding," said Trammell.

As a facility watch supervisor, Trammell is designated by the commanding officer and responsible to the commanding officer for operational performance of the watch crew on duty.

"When signed on position, I am in charge of everything that happens from any type of aircraft movements, take offs and landings, all the equipment and runways, etc.," she stated.

She also volunteers her time as the command financial specialist and morale, welfare and recreation coordinator for her department.

In her free time, Trammell is working on an air traffic controller's associate's degree from Thomas Edison State College and assists the First Coast YMCA as a volunteer, the Oakleaf Soccer Association as a team mom and helps out her daughter's Girl Scout troop.

She also spends as much time as possible with her two daughters, 11-year-old Dana and 2-year-old Sarah. "My husband just retired from the Navy and currently works as a contractor for Northrup Grumman. He travels quite a bit so I consider myself a single mom," said Trammell.

Her biggest goal is passing the chief's test in January, which means a lot of studying. "I plan to make chief and will stay in the Navy as long as I can. I really like my job and I love the Navy. I'm also up for orders this year, so we'll see where they'll send me next," said the 15-year veteran.

What advice does she have for her junior peers? "Set your goals high and work hard because hard work pays off. I think achievements are unlimited in the military," Trammell said.

Trammell stresses that she couldn't be successful in her career without the support of her command and peers. "I would like to thank my command for their support and recognition and especially my junior Sailors because helping them achieve their goals is by far the most rewarding part of my job," she concluded.