The announcement got here in NAVADMIN 233/22, launched Oct. 12.
The annual award acknowledges commanding officers who display inspirational management each professionally and personally, whereas additionally contributing to the advance of management within the Navy. It’s peer-driven, as solely those that are eligible for the award themselves are allowed to appoint others for consideration.
Thomas is the previous commanding officer of the King Bay, Ga.-based ballistic missile submarine USS Alaska’s Gold Crew (SSBN 732), which he led from Might 17, 2019, to Nov. 22, 2021. He’s presently assigned to Strategic Programs Applications in Washington, D.C.
Thomas, of Ann Arbor, Mich., is a graduate of the Naval Reserve Officer Coaching Corps on the College of Michigan. Commissioned April 26, 2002, he’s a profession submariner with sea excursions on 4 boats. Ashore he has finished excursions with the Division of Power and at U.S. Strategic Command in Nebraska.
Keefe, of Cincinnati, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned Might 27, 2005. He’s presently commander of the Guam-based Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit 5 (EODMU 5).
After finishing diving and floor warfare officer faculties, Keefe first served as a Mine Countermeasure Crew Chief. In 2008, he certified as an explosive ordnance disposal officer, and has operated in each geographic combatant command whereas countering improvised explosive units, underwater mines and weapons of mass destruction, in keeping with his official biography.
Ashore Keefe has been an teacher on the Naval Academy; an aide to then Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michelle Howard on the Pentagon; and at Joint Particular Operations Command because the EOD Department Chief.
First awarded in 1980, the award is known as for the late Vice Adm. James Bond Stockdale, a Naval Academy graduate and naval aviator. On Sept. 9, 1965, Stockdale was commander of Service Air Group 16, flying from the plane provider USS Oriskany (CV 34). A veteran of over 200 fight missions on the time, Stockdale’s A-4E Skyhawk was hit by enemy hearth over North Vietnam. Pressured to eject, he landed in a small village and was captured.
A prisoner for eight years, Stockdale was the highest-ranking naval officer among the many Individuals held captive in North Vietnamese prisons. Main by instance, Stockdale resisted his captors from the beginning, establishing a tradition of defiance among the many prisoners of conflict. His efforts to advertise resistance led to him and ten different senior POWs being separated from the remainder to interrupt down the American chain of command amongst prisoners.
Ceaselessly tortured, Stockdale spent two years in heavy leg irons and a complete of 4 years in isolation. He did not waver. He led the POWs’ tradition of defiance, discovering methods to speak and govern prisoner habits, inspiring hope in his fellow captives.
His inspirational management continued all through his imprisonment till his launch in February 1973. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1976 and served as president of the Naval Struggle School from October 1977 till August 1979.
Stockdale articulated 5 roles for a frontrunner: moralist, jurist, trainer, steward and thinker.
Eligible for the award are energetic obligation Navy commanders and beneath who’re serving in charge of a single ship, submarine, aviation squadron, Sea, Air, Land workforce, naval particular warfare squadron, SEAL supply car workforce, particular boat workforce, explosive ordnance disposal cell unit, cell diving and salvage unit, or Navy particular clearance workforce.
This yr’s choice board was introduced with ten finalists, from which the 2 winners have been chosen.
The opposite eight finalists deserve particular point out:
Pacific Fleet finalists:
Cmdr. Robert J. McDowell, Commanding Officer, USS JEFFERSON CITY (SSN 759)
Cmdr. Travis A. Montplaisir, Commanding Officer, USS HOWARD (DDG 83)
Cmdr. Eric M. Ponsart, Commanding Officer, Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron FIVE ZERO (VRM 50)
Cmdr. Joseph W. Snyder, Commanding Officer, Patrol Squadron FOUR SIX (VP 46)
U.S. Fleet Forces finalists:
Cmdr. Brian A. Forster, Commanding Officer, USS MILWAUKEE (LCS 5)
Cmdr. Alexander P. Armatas, Commanding Officer, Strike Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO FIVE (VFA 105)
Cmdr. Thomas H. Van Hoozer, Commanding Officer, Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron FIVE (HSC 5)
Cmdr. Bennett M. Christman, Commanding Officer, USS NEW HAMPSHIRE (SSN 778)
