NAS Jax honors Sailors of the Quarter

''I'd like to thank everyone for coming out today to recognize our Sailors. We are here today to recognize those Sailors who not only performed well the past quarter, but who continuously perform well within their commands,'' remarked NAS Jax Command Master Chief CMDCM(SW) Chris Green.

''In the past, we really didn't have any kind of special ceremony to honor our SOQs. About a year ago, the chief's mess came up with the idea to hold these luncheons. We decided this was the right thing to do. We needed to find a way to honor our Sailors, so here we are today. I think this is our biggest turnout ever. It's really great to see everyone here.''

Guest Speaker AVCM(AW/NAC) Richard Grace, senior enlisted leader for Fleet Readiness Center Southeast spoke to the attendees about the importance of recognizing each and every job, a Sailor performs, no matter how trivial it may seem.

''I want to talk about the importance of every job in the Navy that we do. Whatever job we do and those jobs that our Sailors do for us is significant and should be recognized on an individual basis,'' said Grace.

Members of the NAS Jax Honor Support Team present the colors during the Sailor of the Quarter Luncheon Nov. 9 at the NAS Jax Officers' Club. Eighty-two Sailors were honored during the event. Photos by Kaylee LaRocque

''Whatever your job is, you should do it to the best of your ability. I think sometimes we get focused on the extra things too much, collateral duties, education, etc. And while those things are important and necessary for our mission and personal development, don't neglect your primary job and doing that job to the best of your ability. I think one of the greatest things about our Navy is that we place a high value on each and every person and the job that they are doing to accomplish whatever the command's mission is.''

NAS Jacksonville's Junior SOQ MA3 Jennifer Sanderson was proud to be invited to the event. ''Things have changed here a lot. I was selected as a Sailor of the

Quarter here about two years ago and we really weren't recognized. This luncheon is a great idea to honor the Sailors for their accomplishments,'' she said.

''This is my first time on a shore command. On my ship, we didn't get this kind of opportunity to be honored like this. I think it's great that the commands are able to get together here and recognize what the Sailors are doing during their careers,'' added Commander Patrol Recon-naissance Wing Eleven's Junior Sailor of the Quarter IT2 Chris Wardle.

NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Chip Dobson congratulates MA3 Jennifer Sanderson of NAS Jax Security Department on her recognition as NAS Jax Junior Sailor of the Quarter during the luncheon.

After lunch was served, the Sailors were each presented with a gift envelope with a letter of recognition, a $50 savings bond courtesy of VyStar Credit Union and a coupon book from the NAS Jax Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department.

There was also a special drawing which awarded three Sailors and their families a coupon book from Applebee's Restaurant with a $50 coupon for every week of the upcoming year.

The NAS Jax USO coordinated sponsorship of the free meals with the company.

AVCM(AW/NAC) Richard Grace, senior enlisted leader of Fleet Readiness Center Southeast, offers some remarks as the guest speaker at the Sailor of the Quarter Luncheon.

Also recognized during the luncheon was GEICO Insurance Rep-resentative Frank Butter-field who presented a check to pay for all the awardee's lunches.

The next SOQ luncheon should be held in early February.