In photo above, Culinary Specialist 1st Class Latoya S. Farrish, assigned to USS Essex (LHD 2), poses for a photo with Adm. Scott Swift, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, after being announced as the Pacific Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year (SOY) following a ceremony held at the Hale Koa Hotel in Honolulu. SOY finalists participated in a variety of personal and professional evaluations as well as leadership, naval heritage and team-building events throughout the week around historic Pearl Harbor. (U.S. Navy Video by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Phillip Pavlovich)
Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Rebecca Wolfbrandt, Navy Public Affairs Element Detachment Hawaii
Adm. Scott Swift commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT), announced Culinary Specialist 1st Class Latoya Farrish as 2017 PACFLT Sea Sailor of the Year (SOY) and Construction Mechanic 1st Class Cole Tankersley as the Shore SOY during a ceremony held at the Hale Koa hotel in Honolulu March 23.
The two winners were selected among 14 finalists and announced during a luncheon ceremony hosted by Honolulu Navy League’s Community Partners .“These Sailors here this week represent the best that the Navy has to offer,” said U.S. Pacific Fleet Master Chief James Honea. “ I feel honored and privileged to serve with Sailors of this quality.”
Farrish a native of Reidsville, N.C. and representing USS Essex (LHD 2) will fly to Washington, D.C. in May to be meritoriously promoted to chief petty officer. “I would like to thank my leadership, my mentors, and especially all my junior Sailors,” said Farrish. “ Without them I would not even be here.”
Leading up to the ceremony, the 14 finalists toured Pearl Harbor and surrounding areas to learn about its rich naval history and heritage. Their tour included visits to the Battleship Missouri Memorial and the USS Arizona Memorial. During their time on the Arizona Memorial, they honored the Sailors who lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor with a wreath-laying ceremony.
The Sailor of the Year program was established in 1972 by Former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Whittet to recognize an individual Sailor who best represents the group of dedicated professional Sailors at each command and, ultimately, in the Navy. Click here for more information