JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Ensure service members have a roof over their heads? Check. Facilitate Navy events across a joint base? Check. Encompass what it means to be a leader and operate above and beyond what’s expected? Check and check.
U.S. Navy Ships Serviceman 1st Class La’Tasha Martin, 628th Civil Engineer Squadron unaccompanied personnel housing office, checked these boxes and more, resulting in her July 3 selection through the Meritorious Advancement Program to be advanced to the paygrade of E6. The MAP is intended to give commanders the opportunity to recognize their best Sailors and shape their workforce by developing and rewarding their most talented enlisted members.
NSA Charleston leadership has the opportunity to recognize one deserving Sailor a year for their accomplishments by promoting those who work beyond their paygrade. Martin stood out among her peers and was promoted due to her exceptional job performance and involvement in the command and community.
“Being selected through the MAP to E6 has shown me that hard work does pay off,” said Martin. “My peers and leaders have confidence in my ability to be a great leader.”
Aside from her day-to-day job, Martin helps ensure her subordinates identify and meet goals and pushes them to be active in the command and community. She serves as a member of the Navy Ball Committee and is the NSA Morale, Welfare and Recreation Committee president.
“I push myself with personal goals as well as professional goals,” said Martin. “I also help guide my junior Sailors by encouraging them to be more active within the command and to set and meet personal goals.”
Leadership in her section describes Martin as dedicated. One senior enlisted Sailor said he feels like a proud parent as he watches Martin grow and excel.
“She's an extremely reliable and hardworking Sailor and I never worry about anything when she's left in charge in my absence,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Corey Montgomery, 628th Civil Engineer Squadron housing lead chief petty officer. “She’s dedicated. She's always willing to go the extra mile to ensure things are done correctly and on time. She worked extremely hard to prove that she's worthy of increased authority, roles, and responsibilities.”
Martin reflected on how she believes she was chosen as the one Sailor at NSA Charleston selected for advancement this year. Despite her hard work, she knows she couldn’t have done it alone. Good mentors have pushed Martin to keep excelling, serving as leaders she could exemplify. She now hopes to mentor her own Sailors and provide them the same opportunities she was given.
“Thanks to my junior Sailors for allowing me to guide them,” said Martin. “Find a way to make the best of any situation, don’t stand in the way of your destiny and always remember, it's what you make of it.”