SOY choice is a prestigious honor and acknowledges Sailors who embody sustained superior efficiency, command influence, management and the Navy’s core values.
CNATRA chosen Palmer as the highest performer amongst different top notch petty officers throughout the Naval Air Coaching Command, which spans 5 coaching air wings and 17 squadrons in Florida, Mississippi, and Texas.
Palmer, a local of Boston, enlisted within the Navy in 2003.
“I needed to discover a sense of objective,” Palmer stated. “After the terrorist assaults on September 11 and spending 4 years in highschool JROTC studying the significance and understanding of what it meant to serve, I made a decision to make the choice to serve and shield the freedoms all of us cherish.”
Following commencement from boot camp, he attended Naval Aircrew Candidate Faculty and Aviation Machinist Mate (AD) “A” faculty in Pensacola.
Palmer says his time within the Navy has uncovered him to a mess of cultures and places and taught him the worth of perseverance.
“Serving within the U.S. Navy has been probably the most eye opening experiences of my life,” Palmer stated. “Attending to see so many alternative locations and cultures has made me a greater particular person and even higher chief. I’ve discovered to succeed and persist after I fail. I’ve discovered when it’s time to show and when it’s time to be taught. Most significantly, I’ve discovered the true worth of a group.”
Since 2019, Palmer served with the “Eightballers” of Helicopter Coaching Squadron Eight in Pensacola. HT-8 is considered one of three CNATRA helicopter coaching squadrons. Palmer performs duties as a Naval Aircrewman and Crewchief on board the TH-57B/C Sea Ranger and the TH-73 Thrasher coaching helicopter.
“The ‘Eightballers’ group has actually been among the best instructions and models that I’ve had the pleasure to serve,” stated Palmer. “I attribute this solely to the household mindset that the commanding officer, government officer, and senior enlisted advisor has set. No problem, whether or not it was skilled or private, went unheard or addressed. Merely put, they care about you as an individual and as a Sailor.”
Chief Naval Aircrewman Christopher Mefford is Palmer’s senior enlisted advisor at HT-8.
“AWF1 Palmer has been an distinctive Main Petty Officer, mentor, instructor, and sailor throughout his time at HT-8,” stated Mefford. “He has at all times been a solution-driven particular person who doesn’t wait to be requested to finish duties and resolve issues. Throughout his time at HT-8, he was each our Aircrewman of the Yr and Sailor of the Yr. He was straight answerable for the coaching of over 280 scholar Naval Aviators in his time on the squadron, which straight contributed to the command’s time-to-train success.
We’re extraordinarily happy with his accomplishments throughout his time at HT-8 and want him the most effective in his subsequent group.”
Palmer attributes incomes this recognition as Sailor of the Yr to glorious management and private drive in direction of reaching his targets.
“I earned this recognition due to the empowerment that was bestowed upon me by my management,” stated Palmer. “I imagine that when you come to work and try to perform the mission set forth, whereas additionally staying centered on what your private targets are anybody can obtain what they dream. Discovering that work-life stability is essential to a profitable tour and a profitable profession. Don’t be afraid to take the dangers the place the advantages outweigh the prices.”
Palmer has labored with the “Black Stallions” of Helicopter Help Squadron (HC) 4 in Signolla, Italy; instructed Naval Aircrewmen on the Airborne Mine Counter Measures Coaching Faculty in Norfolk; and accomplished his sea tour as an H-60H/F Naval Aircrewman with the “Warhawks” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 10. Although he has served in a number of capacities all through his naval profession, his most rewarding moments don’t have anything to do along with his private success.
“I deal with each second as one that’s equally as particular throughout the board, however I’m most proud after I get to observe considered one of my junior Sailors obtain a objective that they set for themselves,” stated Palmer. “A protracted record of mentors, chiefs, senior chiefs, and grasp chiefs helped mould me into the Sailor who I’m at the moment. That’s what the success of the Navy is constructed upon. There’s by no means only one one that pushed you. There are a lot of mentors guiding you and main you in direction of success. I’m instructed ‘it takes a village to lift a toddler,” and this similar thought applies all through the service.”
For future Sailors and people at the moment serving who would possibly need to obtain this recognition as effectively, Palmer gives the next recommendation.
“Maintain grinding. Don’t let adversity cease you from what you need to accomplish,” stated Palmer. “Adversity is the most effective instructor you’ll be able to have and supplies you with essentially the most to realize. Time can both be your good friend or your worst enemy. You identify which it will likely be along with your degree of dedication and work ethic.”
As Palmer continues his profession, he’s grateful to his present command for his or her steerage and management.
“I need to thank each member of the HT-8 household for all of their assist and dedication that they put forth every day. Eightballer for all times.”
Palmer transformed to Naval Aircrewman Mechanical System Operator (AWF) in April 2022 to simply accept comply with on orders to conduct ahead operations serving as a Crewchief on the V-22 Osprey rotary wing platform.
Palmer’s private decorations embrace three Air Medals, one Army Achievement Medal, seven Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals in addition to a number of marketing campaign, unit and repair awards.
