It was announced on Friday, February 3rd by the U.S. Navy’s Third Fleet that two information systems technicians would be acknowledged as the crew’s Sailors of the Year for 2012. The San Diego-based Third Fleet has chosen two candidates that will be a part of the contest to win the Pacific Fleet title as Sailor of the Year.
Ebony Torres was honored as the Shore Sailor of the Year by Vice Admiral Gerald Beaman. Torres is the lead petty officer in her department. The Third Fleet Commander also chose Shantae Clark as the Sea Sailor of the Year for USS Carl Vinson. Clark is currently deployed on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson that is usually based in San Diego’s Coronado.
Both nominated Sailors of the Year will be able to compete in the Pacific Fleet competition where the prize will be a promotion to chief petty officer. The Pacific Fleet honorees must move forward into the service-wide contest.
On Friday, the Vice Admiral and Third-Fleet Commander Gerald Beaman stated, “All Sailors of the Year represent the very best of their commands throughout the year. They have been selected for their consistently superior on-the-job performance and scrupulous adherence to the Navy core values of honor, courage, and commitment.” San Diego is proud to honor these two Navy service women as the Sailors of the Year for USS Carl Vinson. May they succeed along the way to chief petty officer within the service-wide competition.
What a first for college basketball history: USS Carl Vinson is hosting the North Carolina and Michigan State basketball game on the deck of their aircraft carrier. This popular ship is best known recently for being the transport mechanism of Osama bin Laden’s remains after his death in Pakistan in May. The UNC’s men’s basketball game will be held on November 11th on the Carrier Classic at its home port in San Diego.
The 4 ½ acre Carrier Classic deck will give both opponents ample space for the basketball court and bench space. The Naval Forces public affairs officer Lt. Patrick Foughty has confirmed that the players shouldn’t even worry about the movement of the ship because they won’t even feel it since the ship is so large. The big game will simply resemble an outdoor basketball game. To ensure that wind will not be a factor, windbreaks will be installed to prevent wind if the game day turns out to have unpredictable weather. Mike Whalen of the Morale Entertainment Foundation is this game’s founder and he is taking every precaution to ensure a flawless set-up. The seating area will also be enclosed by a mesh-like material—but don’t be worried about safety; the nets can be removed quickly in case of an emergency.
Although many criticisms about the conditions the basketball players may face have caused concern, all situations have been taken into consideration. If it rains, the game will be moved to an area below the flight deck where room is provided for a court and seating area. Also, if the USS Carl Vinson is needed at sea, the warship will have to leave and the game will reside in a nearby location which will not be disclosed unless the situation occurs.
Of the 7,000 basketball attendees, most will be members of the armed forces. They will get the chance to meet and talk with Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Michigan State’s former superstar and Hall of Fame legend. Also, Michael Jordan is still contemplating his invitation to be the honorary captain of North Carolina. Experience a game like no other; this Michigan State vs. North Carolina college basketball game will be the first in history to play ball on this heroic Classic Carrier.
It was announced on Friday, February 3rd by the U.S. Navy’s Third Fleet that two information systems technicians would be acknowledged as the crew’s Sailors of the Year for 2012. The San Diego-based Third Fleet has chosen two candidates that will be a part of the contest to win the Pacific Fleet title as Sailor of the Year.
