CNATTU Jax selects their best for 2006

Vaughn had numerous accomplishments throughout the year which included 2,000 hours of instruction to 68 American and foreign students, achieving a 100 percent course completion rate with a 96 percent overall grade point average (GPA) and reducing flight engineer pipeline attrition at VP-30 by 75 percent.

As the flight engineer leading chief petty officer, he qualified one instructor as a master training specialist (MTS) 10 months ahead of schedule, implemented an off-duty education initiative for his instructors in which they completed 45 hours of education with local colleges.

AE1(AW) Brian Rubottom

Vaughn also completed 36 hours of education with Columbia College towards his bachelor's degree in computer information systems. Rubottom is currently deployed on an individual augmentee (IA) assignment in Iraq. He was recently awarded the Army Achievement Medal for his work as the department leader of the Navy Provisional Detainee Battalion in charge of 120 Navy personnel and 180 detainees.

Rubottom also converted the aircraft sealed instrument repair course to a multi-media presentation which reduced the curriculum by 15 percent, saving the Navy $450,000 and developed an innovative inventory system for the auxiliary resale outlet (ARO) that greatly enhanced accountability of all ARO stock items while overseeing a budget of $125,000.

AT1(AW) Troy Barras

As the Petty Officer's Association vice president, he played a vital role in raising more than $8,000 which ensured the success of the Children's Easter and Christmas parties and the student's Thanksgiving Day dinner. He also volunteered more than 400 off-duty hours in direct support of the Gateway Community Impact House, an organization focused on mentoring misguided youth.

Barras was directly responsible for the operation and upkeep of 12 maintenance trainers and 960 line items on the individual material readiness list valued at more than $40 million dollars. As the Maintenance Training Unit 1005 leading petty officer, he was responsible for the instruction of 331 students with a combined savings of 4,481 man days and $680,000 in training costs during fiscal year 2006. He was also hand-selected to lead a team of four instructors to be technical advisors to Naval Air Systems Command in the screening and development of more than 540 documents for the SH-60R/S curriculum and Sea Warrior briefing team in direct support of the Chief of Naval Operation's "Revolution in Training."

AT2(AW) Erlic Reyes

Barras also certified 187 staff and students in CPR and was awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for his services as Christ The King's Athletic Association Softball and T-Ball coach.

Reyes' accomplishments include 2,862 hours of instruction to 57 students, achieving a 100 percent completion rate and a final GPA of 96.9 percent and completing his MTS designation and qualifying two more instructors as MTS. He also completed 36 hours of college credit towards his electronics management degree and dedicated more than 200 off-duty hours to the command and community in volunteer work.

McDermott's accomplishments include providing 1,024 hours of instruction to 165 students achieving a 100 percent course completion rate with a 94.7 percent overall GPA. He also directly contributed to the completion of the Aviation Structural Mechanic "A" School Metal Fabrication Lab which involved four months of construction. The project created 20 workstations for students, and saved the Navy $245,000.

Additionally he qualified 49 students in CPR and volunteered more than 100 off-duty hours being involved with Habitat for Humanity Housing Project and Oak Crest Methodist Church.

AM2(AW) Eric McDermott

These Sailors model the department's motto of "The Best Training Command in the Navy" and exemplify the Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment.