Washington D.C. –
Vice Adm. John B. Mustin, Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force, announced the selection of FC1 John Clements as the 2023 Navy Reserve Sailor of the Year (RSOY), in a ceremony, May 17.
FC1 Clements from St. Augustine, Florida, assigned to Commander Naval Surface Group Southeast DET B, was selected from a group of five finalists as the fiscal year 2023’s top Reserve enlisted Sailors during a ceremony at the National Museum of the United States Navy located at the Navy Yard, Washington, DC.
The finalists competed for selection as the Reserve Sailor of the Year during an interview board held from 13–17 May 2024 in the Nation’s Capital. During the week, finalists met with senior leadership, toured the Pentagon, the National Mall, the Navy Memorial, the National Archives and enjoyed fellowship with their Shipmates.
As a result of Clement’s selection, he will be recommended to the Chief of Naval Personnel for meritorious advancement to the rank of chief petty officer per OPNAVINST 1700.10P, Navy Sailor of the Year Program.
The additional 2023 Navy Reserve Sailor of the Year finalists were:
· YN1 Matthew Fields, Mobilization and Deployment Support Command.
· AT1(AW) Paul Laughlin, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron FIVE NINE.
· MM1(SS) Matthew Lipscomb, Surge Main Everett.
· IS1 Sinclair Sandoval, Office of Naval Intelligence Warfare Intelligence Center Alameda.
Ceremony hosts Vice Adm. John B. Mustin, Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force and Navy Reserve Force Master Chief Tracy L. Hunt (SW/EXW/AW) were joined by 2022 Navy Reserve Sailor of The Year, Chief Lewis McClintock.
Leading up to the ceremony, a team of senior enlisted leaders chaired by Hunt conducted a rigorous selection process and ultimately made the recommendation for the finalist to Mustin.
According to Hunt, making the final choice was no easy task and the margin for the selection of a winner was razor-thin.
“Choosing one Sailor was no small feat,” said Hunt. “You should all be proud of your accomplishments. In the Olympic games, the difference between winning gold and silver may be fractions of a second, and the same can be said for selecting one of you as our Sailor of the Year.”
Following his remarks, Hunt introduced Mustin, who reinforced how the individual competitiveness and sustained superior performance of each Sailor will ultimately serve to strengthen the Navy Reserve Force for years to come.
“Regardless of today’s results, each of our finalists will continue their impressive contributions to our Force,” said Mustin. “I take comfort in knowing these impressive Sailors will be a part of the leadership of the Navy Reserve in the critical years ahead — each one driving the generational transformation of our Force — and I take great pride in serving alongside each one of you.”
After the announcement, the newly minted Reserve Sailor of the Year talked about the importance of the support he’s received from his family, mentors and junior Sailors.
“Without them I wouldn’t be here,” said Clements, addressing family and friends directly.. “Thank you for your unwavering support since day one….. They’ve pushed me, they’ve driven me and they’ve made me the best version of myself so that I can be here today…. I am proud to serve, and I look forward as a chief petty officer to continuing our Navy’s primary mission of warfighting readiness.”
“In your achievements you exemplify the best our Reserve Force has to offer, and exactly what our fleet commanders demand: talented, capable, dedicated, warfighting-ready Sailors with a clear-eyed resolve to compete, deter and win today.” said Mustin.
Late Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Jack Whittet initiated the Sailor of the Year program in 1972 to recognize outstanding Atlantic and Pacific Fleet Sailors. The program was later expanded to honor the top Shore and Reserve Force Sailors of the Year.
For the latest news and updates across the Reserve Force, visit the official Navy Reserve website https://www.navyreserve.navy.mil/ and follow the U.S. Navy Reserve on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.