By Robert J. Fluegel

U.S. Navy

Naval Information Forces announced the Sea, Shore and Reserve Sailors of the Year at an awards ceremony on Feb. 9.

During the ceremony, Cryptologic Technician 1st Class Courtney Evers, assigned to Navy Information Operations Detachment, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, was announced as the Senior Sea Sailor of the Year. Cryptologic Technician 1st Class Jaxi Sehorn, assigned to Farragut Technical Analysis Center, Washington, D.C., was announced as the Senior Shore Sailor of the Year. Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Mary Alder, assigned to Naval Reserve Office of Naval Intelligence One Zero Seven One, was announced as the Senior Reservist Sailor of the Year.

Evers, a native of North Syracuse, N.Y., entered the Navy in January 2007. She graduated from basic training in 2007 and attended Cryptologic Technician “A” School. Her commands include Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One, Whidbey Island, Wash., Navy Information Operations Command, Hawaii and Navy Information Operations Detachment, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Sehorn, a native of Spiro, Okla., entered the Navy in October 2009. She graduated from basic training in 2009 and attended Cryptologic Technician “A” School. Her commands include Commander Carrier Strike Group Three staff aboard USS John C. Stennis and Farragut Technical Analysis Center at the Office of Naval Intelligence.

Alder, a native of Longview, Texas, entered the Coast Guard in June 2005. She graduated from basic training in 2005. Her commands include Integrated Support Command Ketchikan, Alaska, Coast Guard Cryptologic Group Colorado CO, USCGC Mohawk and Office of Naval Intelligence Suitland, Md. She separated from active duty in March 2013 and in December 2013 joined the Naval Reserves.

To be selected as one of the finalists for the Type Commander Sailor of the Year competition, the sailors displayed a level of professionalism and dedication that identified them as being clearly at the top of their profession in each of their component commands, according to a press release.

“I am exceptionally proud of the three sailors who were selected as NAVIFOR Sailors of the Year,” NAVIFOR Force Master Chief Toby Ruiz stated in a press release. “I couldn’t be happier for each of the other 10 sailors who were selected to compete. They are all outstanding representatives of their commands.”

The other top sea, shore and reserve finalists were:

• Aerographer’s Mate 1st Class Matthew Anderson, Strike Group Oceanography team Norfolk, Virginia
• Aerographer’s Mate 1st Class Jason Archibald, Naval Oceanography ASW detachment Kadena, Japan
• Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Stephen Bird, Naval Reserve Navy Expeditionary Intelligence Command Zero One Zero Six
• Information System Technician 1st Class Erik Cunningham, Naval Communications Security Material System, Washington, D.C.
• Yeoman 1st Class Holly Fey, Naval Reserve Pacific Command Joint Intelligence Operations Center Zero One One Three
• Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Stilling Horton, Naval Reserve Joint Information Operations Center Southern Command Zero One Seven Four
• Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Mitchell Marlatt, NAVIFOR Fleet Intelligence detachment Washington, D.C.
• Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Christopher Nichols, Naval Reserve Office of Naval Intelligence Zero Four Six Six
• Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Jody Pulford, Naval Reserve Navy Expeditionary Intelligence Command Zero Two Two Two
• Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Francisco Trujillo Jr., Kennedy Irregular Warfare Center Washington, D.C.

Capt. Kelly A. Aeschbach, Special Assistant, Commander Naval Information Forces, recently selected for Rear Adm., served as the presiding Officer for the ceremony.

Nominated sailors from the NAVIFOR commands spent the week at a series of luncheons, receptions and meetings with the Sailor of the Year board, the NAVIFOR Force Master Chief and other senior enlisted and officers.

The next step for the Sea and Shore Senior Sailors of the Year is the U.S. Fleet Forces Sailor of the Year competition at the end of the month and the chief’s board this summer.

The Sea and Shore Junior Sailors of the Year were also announced at the ceremony. Aerographer’s Mate 2nd Class Ciera Meadows, NOAC Yokosuka, Japan, was announced as the Junior Sea Sailor of the Year and Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Haley Archer, HOPPER Information Services Center, was announced as the Junior Shore Sailor of the Year.

The Sailor of the Year program was established by the Chief of Naval Operations to recognize those sailors who best represent the large number of dedicated professionals in a particular command.