NADEP JAX announces sailor of the year
By Daphne Burke, NADEP JAX Public Affairs Specialist

It’s official. As of January 21, 2002, Petty Officer First Class Barry Walters is Naval Air Depot, Jacksonville’s (NADEP JAX) Sailor of the Year (SOY). Walters’ first NADEP position was working in the Components Customer Service where he also earned the honor SOY in 1999. Currently, he works in Material Customer Service where he works with the “G” condition parts and excess processes.

Walters was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and grew up in New York City and Miami. He enlisted in the Navy in September 1986, just before his nineteenth birthday. After completing boot camp in Orlando, Walters attended Aviation Storekeeper “A” School in Meridian, Miss. Upon completion of “A” School, he reported to his first duty station, USS America in Norfolk, Va., where he spent four years. In 1991, he transferred to Strike Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO SIX (VFA-106) at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Fla. Two short years later, Walters transferred from shore duty to neutral duty and deployed to Naval Air Station, Fallon, Nev. and USS Enterprise in support of flight training.

In 1993, Walters was stationed in Sigonella, Italy for a three-year tour. He worked in the supply department responsible for FOUR Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC-4) and all “L” purpose items totaling over $34 million. Before reporting to his next command, Walters attended Shipboard Uniform Automated Data Processing System (SUADPS) Real Time at Fleet Training Center where he graduated at the top of his class. In September 1996, Walters arrived aboard USS Kearsarge. He worked for supply and was the leading petty officer. During his tour aboard Kearsarge, Walters made one deployment to the Mediterranean and was advanced to First Class Petty Officer.

Walters came to NADEP JAX in December 1999. During his time at NADEP, Walters has distinguished himself as a leader who possesses superior managerial abilities and personal initiative. “I try and do the best job I can. I don't just settle for the normal. I look for ways to improve the process,” said Walters. He has accomplished many things at the Depot, including the establishment of an effective material excess and turn-in process whereby NADEP returned $1.1 million dollars worth of stock to the supply system for credit.

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Walters willingness to volunteer has demonstrated his unselfish nature. Walters has willingly traveled to Australia to support the fleet and has volunteered locally to contribute to community activities, such as, working with Habitat for Humanity and regularly donating blood to the Florida/Georgia Blood Alliance. Walters summed up his attitude toward community service saying, “Working within the U.S. Navy is rewarding, but everyone should give something back just to say thank you for the blessings they have received.” In Walters’ Sailor of the Year nomination package, former Commanding Officer Captain Christopher Roum said that Walters embodies all that we expect in the Navy’s top shore Sailor. Roum went on to say “Walters is a Pacesetter, problem solver, and NAVAIR team player. He is the best of the best.”

Although NADEP is a command that hosts only a handful of military billets, it is still an honor to be chosen SOY. “Even though we are a small command, I feel that the competitors for SOY are all well qualified to represent this command if called upon. The people I work with are very well trained and intelligent in their prospective jobs. They should all be rewarded for the jobs they do,” said Walters.

Training and intelligence are crucial, but they are not the only contributing factors to a person’s success or failure. Walters contributes his success to a number of things. “Being mentored is a big part of succeeding. If you don't have someone to show you the way, you could end up lost. Next, working with highly trained and motivated individuals is always a plus. Finally, family and friends play an important role. I am proud of my marriage of 14 years to my wonderful wife, Lorna. We have a great daughter named Ashley who makes me proud everyday. If they weren't there for me, then I may not be here today,” Walters said. “And, lastly, friends. I have made good friends everywhere I've been. It's hard to say goodbye. So, I say, ‘see you soon.’ We may have different commands, but we only have one Navy, one team. My job may change, but I'm still in the game.”

Walters’ outstanding service and commitment to duty have earned him the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Warfare Pin, the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with three gold stars), the Good Conduct Medal (with 3 bronze stars), the Humanitarian Service Medal, and various other unit awards, commendations, and medals.

Walters’ next tour of duty will be USS Kitty Hawk homeported in Japan. He hopes to get advanced to the next rank, ultimately make Master Chief, plan for his retirement, and enjoy the rest of his time “in the greatest Navy in the world.”

-- USN --