USNA photo by MC3 Chris Lussier. EM2 Martha E. Cordero answers questions at the 2007 Junior Sailor of the Year board. USNA photo by MC3 Chris Lussier.

The Sailor of the Year program, established by Adm. Elmo Zumwalt in 1972, pays tribute to the Navy’s outstanding Sailors. For Senior Sailor of the Year Electronics Technician 1st Class (SW⁄AW) Ryan D. Hogg, Junior Sailor of the Year Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class (SW⁄AW) Martha E. Cardero, and Bluejacket of the Year Seaman Apprentice Daniel A. Dlask, the title serves as formal recognition for their exceptional performance and stellar work ethic.

The Sailor of the Year board was extremely competitive, with outstanding candidates from throughout the Naval Academy. Each participant was nominated for consideration by their chain of command. The nomination package included in-depth information about each Sailor’s professional responsibilities, collateral duties, leadership, off-duty education, and community service, as well as personal recommendations.

The nominees then went in front of the Sailor of the Year board for a formal interview.

''I always choose a question that would impact the Sailor the greatest,'' explained Chief Sonar Technician (Surface) (SW⁄IUSS) Donna Robinson, who sat on the Junior Sailor of the Year board. Robinson asked the candidates about the Navy’s newest policies regarding Tuition Assistance. ''Cordero ... spoke know-ledgeably about all the questions asked, which let me know that she was informed and made me believed those that worked for her were also informed.''

In addition to questions about policies and regulations, the nominees were also asked situational analysis questions, which gave the board members the opportunity to gage how the nominees expressed themselves.

''I’m looking for the Sailor has a balance between work, the community, and their own personal growth. I know how hard it is to find balance in all three and I applaud the one that can do it at such a young age,'' explained Legalman 1st Class Demieka Wilson, who sat on the Bluejacket of the Year board. ''Seaman Dlask was well spoken, professional, and looked sharp in his uniform. He had the best answers overall to all of the questions asked.''

When the competition is tough, a Sailor’s performance at the board can make all the difference.

''The Navy is very dynamic,” said Hogg. ''The Sailor of the Year board is a great parallel to being an effective leader. The level of information required by a Sailor of the Year board is what should be expected of anyone in a leadership position.''

Board members used a standardized grading sheet to rank the candidates in categories including education, volunteer work, and professional responsibilities, as well as board performance. This method ensured the nominees were judged consistently.

The board members provided their grading sheets to the board chair, who then forwarded the board recommendations to the Command Master Chief, who then submitted them to the Naval Academy Superintendent for review and approval.

For Cordero and Dlask, their selection as Junior Sailor and Bluejacket of the Year is a significant professional achievement. Hogg will now move forward to represent the Naval Academy in the Vice Chief of Naval Operations Sailor of the Year competition.