Pensacola, Florida - Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) announced the winners of the 2014 Health, Safety, and Fitness Flagship Awards today, recognizing eight commands for their outstanding community service.
The award is managed by the flag sponsor, NETC and executed by the Naval Education and Training Professional Development Technology Center's (NETPDTC) Community Service and Outreach Program director, is given in recognition of commands that have the best programs encouraging health and fitness to military members as well as the surrounding civilian community.
"The winning commands and their Sailors are shining examples of establishing and maintaining command partnerships that promote healthy and fit lifestyles," said Rear Adm. Mike White, NETC commander. "As good neighbors, it's crucial that we help kids and their families by educating and setting good examples within their local schools and communities."
The 2014 Health, Safety, and Fitness Flagship Award winners by category are:
Shore Command Category:
- Small: Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
- Medium: Navy Medicine Professional Development Center, Bethesda, Maryland
- Large: Navy Information Operations Command, Fort Meade, Maryland
Overseas Category:
-Large: Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Sea Category:
-Small: 21st Dental Company, Marine Corps Base, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii
Commands receiving honorable mentions include:
-Small Shore Command: Naval Aviation Schools Command Pensacola, Florida
-Medium Shore Command: Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
-Large Shore Command: Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida
"The Health, Safety, and Fitness Award Program showcases the noteworthy accomplishments of commands who actively give back to their communities," said Capt. Janet Lomax, NETPDTC commanding officer. "What commands are doing to improve their local communities through the promotion of healthy lifestyles and fitness is remarkable. While many Navy units actively participate in community outreach, the achievements of these commands clearly stand out as the best of the best."
Sailors from the Large Shore category winner, Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC), Maryland, dedicated 1,961 hours in support of four Special Olympic events and other events that positively impacted over 850,000 members of the community. Through the extensive Maryland and D.C. Food Bank networks, which services more than 600 soup kitchens and pantries, NIOC Maryland Sailors also helped to supply 85,000 meals to children during the summer months and saved the local communities over $530,000 in staff salary cost.
Volunteers from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ), this year's Large Overseas category winner, demonstrated Navy Core Values by building partnerships with local schools, instructing and mentoring children on the importance of exercise, a healthy lifestyle, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Through the De La Salle elementary school/Djibouti Youth Fitness Initiative, an average of ten volunteers interacted with 4th and 5th graders twice per week. Since its beginning last year, 20 volunteers visited the school each week, giving over 40 hours of service to over 200 children raising awareness and improving the health and lifestyles of these youth.
The Health, Safety, and Fitness projects are part of the Navy Community Service Program (NCSP) whose mission is to help build stronger communities and develop mission-ready personnel through outreach activities. NCSP promotes volunteerism and community service to assist in the education and enrichment of the nation's youth and communities and in revitalizing the community.
NCSP consists of five flagships, including Health, Safety and Fitness; Personal Excellence; Project Good Neighbor; Campaign Drug Free; and Environmental Stewardship. Each flagship is sponsored by a separate Navy command.
Award winners and honorable mentions will receive certificates from NETC in recognition of their exceptional accomplishments.
