JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The sounds of sneakers scuffing the floor fill the air as Sailors recover from the push-up and sit-up positions - red with exhaustion. Sweat stings their eyes as it rolls off their brows. But one Sailor, although exhausted, pushes through the physical barrier and motivates his Shipmates to do the same - to push beyond their own limitations.
Joint Base Charleston - Weapons Station, Naval Support Activity's command fitness leader, Petty Officer 1st Class Jacob Moore's dedication to self-improvement, improvement of others and the professional success as the leading petty officer of 13 Sailors and 36 Airmen, has led to his selection as the 2011 NSA's Sailor of the Year. Moore is a Master-at-Arms for the 628th Security Forces Squadron.
"Petty officer Moore is my go-to Sailor," said Chief Petty Officer Vincent Stephens, 628th SFS leading chief petty officer. "Anything I need done - operations, overall security and helping take care of Sailors; he does it all. There is no job he is not capable of doing. He always gets the job done to the best of his ability. He deserves to represent the command as the 2011 SOY."
Moore's formula for success and leadership is simple; stand out from everyone else.
"I believe that if I'm always the one trying to be the squared away Sailor with an outstanding uniform appearance and exceptional military bearing, taking on more difficult tasks and just pushing myself at PT above all others, then I stand out above my peers," said Moore. "I believe in leading from the front, and the only way I know how to do that is by standing out and excelling in whatever I am doing. Whether that is doing my job or helping a junior Sailor. I am only as successful as my Sailors make me."
Being there for a shipmate during a time of need can have a positive impact on Sailors, and for Petty Officer 3rd Class Craig Freeman, Moore was able to assist during a difficult time in his life.
"Sometime back, I had some personal struggles in my life and I am thankful I went to MA1 Moore," said Freeman, an Electrician's Mate at NSA. "He understood and cared about the problems I was dealing with. Everyone that works with him knows that he cares. For Petty Officer Moore, this is more than just a job; he treats us as though we were his family."
As a husband and a father, Moore said that the amount of pride his family has in him for his accomplishments is rewarding enough. He is honored to be the mold that will help shape his fellow Sailors at JB Charleston - WS.
"When I found out I was selected as the SOY, I was excited," said Moore. "I don't see myself as being that guy that everyone admires, but I'm always working toward being that person - a person who upholds the Navy's core values of honor, courage and commitment and who is just all around dependable.
"This is a responsibility that I have to carry," he continued. "Now that I've been named SOY, people are going to look at me for guidance; I need to step-up my game. All eyes are on me. I have to constantly be in the front so everybody can look toward me for their example. I can't stumble now."
Success and mentoring junior Sailors is more than enough motivation to keep Moore charging forward.
"I like seeing my coworkers advance and excel," Moore said. "If they do better in any aspect of their life that I'm involved with then that makes me feel like I'm doing what I should be doing. Hopefully, they can surpass me and be even better than what I am."
Putting on the gold fouled anchors of a Chief Petty Officer is Moore's ultimate goal; he believes that earning the recognition as the NSA SOY is a step in the right direction.
Moore's next step toward his goal will be to compete at Commander, Navy Region South East against all the other SOYs in the South East region. If Moore is named regional SOY, he moves on to the next level of competition facing SOYs from each region across the Navy. The ultimate prize is being named SOY for the United States Navy and immediate promotion to Chief Petty Officer, pay grade of E-7.
"I'm very proud that he made SOY," said Stephens. "It is a key step to getting him to the next level as a chief petty officer because that is where he needs to be. He has already acted in that role before I got to this command. He filled the role as the security department LCPO for a year before I got here. He will represent our command with honor at the CNRSE competition. "