NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, Calif. - Yeoman 1st Class Petty Officer (SS) David Tejeda from USS Asheville (SSN 758) and Legalman 1st Class Petty Officer (SW/AW) Stacey Mincey from Commander, Submarine Group Seven were awarded Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet's Sea and Shore Sailor of the Year (respectively) Feb. 25.

Commander, Submarine Group Nine, Rear Adm. Robert Hennegan and Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet Force Master Chief (SS) David Lynch presented the awards to Tejeda and Mincey during a luncheon at Naval Base Point Loma.

The awards announcement culminated a week of competition among all Submarine Force Pacific Fleet Sailor of the Year nominees during which a committee of Command Master Chiefs evaluated each nominee's professional performance, leadership skills, and military bearing. The nominees also participated in community outreach programs, which included a visit to the San Diego Zoo, USS Midway, and visiting Pearl Harbor survivors in addition to other activities held to honor the Sailors' accomplishments at their respective commands.

Rear Adm. Hennegan congratulated all the nominees during his remarks. "Simply put, you are the best of the best of nearly 11,000 Sailors from SUBPAC commands, both afloat and ashore. That's half of the U.S. Submarine Force - and you're representing them here today," he said. "And, all of you have one thing in common - you've distinguished yourself through superior performance, devotion to duty, and your dedication to the Navy's Core Values: Honor, Courage and Commitment," he continued.

After accepting his award as Sea Sailor of the Year, Petty Officer Tejeda said, "I am very humbled. I've been inspired by all the other submarine Sailors of the Year here, and I want to make them proud. I'm still a little shocked. This week has been amazing."

Petty Officer Mincey added, "The biggest thing I've taken away from this is to never give up - set your goals and keep going until you achieve them. This whole week has been amazing, but I never could have accomplished any of it without the support of my family."

Both Tejeda and Mincey will go on to compete for the honor of U.S. Pacific Fleet Sea and Shore Sailor of the Year.

The other Sea Sailor of the Year nominees were: Personnel Specialist 1st Class Petty Officer (SW/AW) Lakisa Jones of USS Frank Cable (AS 40); Fire Control Technician 1st Class Petty Officer (SS) Robert Wright of USS Kentucky (SSBN 737); and Machinist Mate 1st Class Petty Officer (SS) Eric Schirmacher of USS Cheyenne (SSN 773).

The other Shore Sailor of the Year nominees were: Machinist Mate 1st Class Petty Officer (SS) Quinn Ralston of Naval Submarine Support Center; Machinist Mate 1st Class Petty Officer (SS) Jeffery Murl of Naval Submarine Support Command; and Electrician's Mate 1st Class Petty Officer (SS) Jon Bohannan of Commander, Submarine Squadron Eleven Performance Monitoring Team.