Albany sailor competes for joint award

Marine Corps Maj. Daniel P. Firestone, Albany MEPS commander, and Army 1st Sgt. Clara W. Walters, Albany MEPS senior enlisted advisor, congratulate Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Onyeka E. Abadom on competing for the Joint Sailor of the Year Award.

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Onyeka E. Abadom of the Albany MEPS was one of five finalists for Joint Command Sailor of the Year.

Abadom is the United States Military Entrance Processing Command Junior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.

"Even though Petty Officer Abadom wasn't selected, I am super proud of him and the fact that for the first time in the history of USMEPCOM we had one of our sailors reach the top five in this competition," Navy Capt. David S. Kemp, USMEPCOM commander, said.

"The competition was truly one of the most competitive I've seen, with a distinct group of uniquely qualified, driven sailors across the joint arena," said Navy Capt. Nicole-DeRamus-Suazo, chief of the Human Capital Division, Joint Staff Manpower and Personnel Directorate and commanding officer of the Joint Staff Navy Element, said in an email announcing the results of the competition. "All of your sailors should be proud of their accomplishments and nominations.

"Fifteen commands, to include the Joint Staff, submitted nominees. The top five nominees were selected as finalists and boarded by five Navy Master Chiefs (with prior advancement board experience) via video teleconference," DeRamus-Suazo said. "The board members were genuinely impressed with the quality and caliber of the nominations, as well as the professionalism and preparation of the sailors who appeared before the board."

 Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Onyeka E. Abadom