USFF honors Sea, Shore Sailors of Year

NORFOLK, Va. - The Navy honored two of its best Thursday in Norfolk as the U.S. Fleet Forces Command announced the 2009 Fleet Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year.

Petty Officer First Class Chasity M. Morales received the Shore Sailor award. She is assigned to the Naval Submarine Support Center in New London, Connecticut.

Aviation Technician Robert L. Barber received the Sea Sailor of the Year award. He is assigned to Sea Control Squadron 32 (VS-32) in Florida, but also spent time at NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach.

The U.S. Fleet Forces Command Sailor of the Year Program exists to recognize the best and brightest Sailors throughout U.S. Fleet Forces Command. A total of 12 candidates competed for the two honors.

As U.S. Fleet Forces Command's Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year, Barber will be meritoriously advanced to Chief Petty Officer.

Morales, as the Fleet Shore Sailor of the Year, will go on to one more round of competition for the Chief of Naval Operations Shore Sailor of the Year.