JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As a final official act, the outgoing Commanding Officer of Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) promoted a junior Sailor during the FRCSE Change of Command at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville July 8.

Capt. Paul A. Sohl in a surprise move advanced Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) 3rd Class Jamal Napier to the rank of second class for his community service and dedication to the Navy.

“It didn’t register when he (Sohl) first started talking,” said Napier, “but then he was saying Durbin Creek Elementary, and I do a lot of volunteer work over there. That’s when it clicked. He’s talking about me.”

Sohl praised Napier as an outstanding Sailor, a community volunteer, a dedicated mentor and a committed college student.

As the production supervisor in the Avionics System Repair 660 Division, Napier led 12 Sailors in the maintenance and repair of various Anti-Submarine Warfare components resulting in a 96 percent ready-for-issue rate. A feat Sohl called “pretty darn spectacular.”

Napier joined the Navy in January 2005 and graduated basic training at Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill., in March. Following advanced aviation electronics training, he reported to FRCSE in 2006.

He credits much of his success to his mentors, AT1 John Albeniz assigned to FRCSE Quality Assurance and AT2 Jeremy Russell, the 660 Division lead petty officer.

“Albeniz has helped guide me with my career choices and stay on the right path,” he said. “Russell has inspired me to push myself.”
Napier said he enjoys his job and benefits from working among diverse people with unique personalities.

“It isn’t just the job that makes it enjoyable here,” he said. “It’s the people I work for and with who make it worthwhile.”

Working towards an associate’s degree, Napier aspires to be a dentist. He plans to apply for an enlisted commissioning program after he transfers in April 2012 to his next duty station.

In the meantime, he is still pondering his unexpected good fortune, along with the additional responsibility, accountability and higher pay that accompany a promotion.