Jacksonville, Florida –
At Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command (REDCOM) Jacksonville, Information Systems Technician 1st Class Joshua Lee, from Boise, Idaho, received the Sailor of the Year (SOY) 2023 award on Dec. 14, 2023.
This is the second year in a row Lee was selected as REDCOM Jacksonville’s SOY.
“It’s an honor,” said Lee. “I’m grateful to be recognized by my peers supporting our Reserve Sailors and the REDCOM Jacksonville mission.”
Lee is the leading petty officer of REDCOM Jacksonville’s N6, information technology department, working alongside 2 Sailors and 1 civilian to review and approve daily Navy/Marine Corps Internet (NMCI) support requests for more than 8,500 Reserve Sailors at 19 Navy Reserve Centers (NRCs) and 5 Aviation Support Squadrons throughout the Southeast. Lee is also a command assistant Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor (DAPA).
Lee attributes the work his team puts in as to one of the reasons why they won SOY.
“I couldn’t have had near the success without Mr. Dave Schnupp and my Sailors, IT2 Patton and IT2 Russell,” said Lee. “They are the real MVP’s, I’m extremely lucky to have such a terrific team. They made this tour one of my most memorable!”
Lee is a positive role model in the command, often taking time to help junior Sailors navigate the opportunities available to them through their service to the Navy Reserve.
“Our Navy’s junior Sailors have more knowledge, resources and opportunities than I had coming in,” said Lee. “The support systems and personal growth for financial and college education are incredible. I love seeing todays Sailors asking questions and planning their future to better themselves. Any guidance I can give to help them achieve their goals is a huge success.”
Lee’s goals for the future include continuing his IT career, expand his level of knowledge, and to train the next generation of Navy leaders to steer the mission to success.
The SOY Program recognizes Sailors who best represent the large number of dedicated professionals serving in a particular type of duty as assigned. They are awarded for their professional and personal dedication to the mission, as seen by a history of sustained superior performance, outstanding professionalism, command impact, mission contribution, commitment to self-improvement and displaying the ability to lead as a future chief petty officer.
Winners of the REDCOM Jacksonville SOY program receive a Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, a plaque and other awards. Lee won the Sailor of the year category; Yeoman 2nd Class Ceclia Corella, from operations department, and Yeoman Seaman Karmynn Callender, from command services department, are this year’s selectees for Junior SOY and Bluejacket of the Year.