From: Rush, David B JOC (CSP N02P2)
Release and photos are for immediate use.
JOC(SW/AW) David Rush
COMSUBPAC Public Affairs
(808) 473-0911

Feb. 27, 2004 LT Kim Marks
Rel. No. 07-04 (619) 553-8643

Story and photos by JOC(SCW) Robert Feinberg

NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA – Rear Admiral Paul F. Sullivan, Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet, presented the COMSUBPAC Sea and Shore Sailor of the Year awards in San Diego recently. USS KEY WEST (SSN 722) Sailor EM1(SS) James A. Colley was selected as the Sea Sailor of the Year. STS1(SS/DV) Jeremy S. Reed from San Diego’s Deep Submergence Unit (DSU) earned the Shore Sailor of the Year title. Colley and Reed will now move on to compete at the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet level.

"I really wasn’t expecting to win," said Colley, a seven-year Navy veteran from Knoxville, Tenn. "I was up against a lot of good competition and more senior guys with more experience. They’re a great bunch of guys," he explained. "My father raised me by himself, and I don’t think I’d be the Sailor I am today without his support," Colley said. "I’m very impressed and proud to stand behind my husband," exclaimed Colley’s wife, Melissa. "I know that he does (his job) well."

Reed, an eight-year Navy veteran from Morehead City, N.C., said, "It’s a great honor. Everyone you compete against is at such a high level. I really feel like I’ve accomplished something."

Pacific Submarine Force Sailors of the Year representing sea and shore commands from throughout the Fleet competed for the top honors. Ten Sailors – five from Shore Commands and five from Sea Commands in Hawaii, the Pacific Northwest, San Diego and the Western Pacific – traveled to San Diego with their spouses for the competition.

"This was a great bunch of candidates," noted the COMSUBPAC Force Master Chief, FORCM(SS) Mike Benko. "It was very competitive. They were all very knowledgeable of not only their individual jobs, but of the various Navy programs as well." When asked to identify one common trait all the Sailor’s possessed he commented that, "All of our candidates had strong major command collateral duties in addition to their job. They were a young group of guys averaging seven to 10 years of service."

This marked the first year that San Diego hosted the competition and, according to Benko, it went very well. "The Subase (Point Loma) provided us first-rate service," he said. Having the contest in San Diego also gave the Sailors coming from OCONUS commands an opportunity to bring their spouses back to "the mainland," and provided an opportunity for them to take additional leave and travel home to see their families.

Sailors competing for COMSUBPAC Sailors of the Year were: from the Pacific Northwest, FT1(SS) William B. Foster, Submarine Group 9 and MM1(SS) Jayson M. Brettin, USS ALABAMA (SSBN 731) (GOLD); from San Diego, EM1(SW) Benedict G. Delarosa, ARCO (ARDM 5), MM1(SS) Christopher J. Farrell, USS SALT LAKE CITY (SSN 716); MM1(SS) Travis W. Walter, USS DOLPHIN (AGSS 555) and STS1(SS/DV) Jeremy S. Reed, DSU; from Hawaii, EM1(SS) James A. Colley, USS KEY WEST (SSN 722) and ET1(SS) Christian M. Newkirk, COMSUBPAC Staff; and from the Western Pacific, ET1(SW) David W. Burch, USS FRANK CABLE (AS 40) and MM1(SS) Joseph G. Aquino, Submarine Squadron 15.

The award was presented to Colley at a ceremony at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego. Colley's wife, Melissa joined him.

U.S. Navy photo by JOC(SCW) Robert Feinberg. (Released)

Reed is from San Diego's Deep Submergence Unit (DSU). The award was presented to Reed at a ceremony at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego. Reed's wife, Candi joined him.

U.S. Navy photo by JOC(SCW) Robert Feinberg. (Released)