JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
A Joint Base Charleston Sailor was named the 2013 Palmetto Chapter of Women in Defense "Military Woman of the Year" Nov. 16, 2013, during a ceremony at the Citadel football game in Charleston, S.C.
Seaman Paige Hensel, a native of Quincy, Ill., and Navy Munitions Command Unit Charleston mineman, was recognized as the WID "Military Woman of the Year" in front of hundreds of football fans.
Although, she's a young Sailor and the award was a surprise to some; the award came as no surprise to her command.
"Seaman Hensel is driven to be successful and sets the standard for all to follow," said Master Chief Petty Officer Jason Roach, Naval Munitions Command Charleston command master chief. "She sets goals far beyond the expectations of her leadership, demolishes them, and then sets a new benchmark in timeliness to reach new levels within her community. Her work at NMC made her an unparalleled choice when putting the award package together."
Navy Munitions Command's primary mission is to protect United States national interests and the security of our nation, its citizens and our allies through: providing receipt, storage and issue of ordinance supporting Maritime Prepositioning Force and Afloat Prepositioning Force missions, providing offensive and defensive pre-positioned War Reserve Stock service mines, exercises and training shapes as well as providing research and development projects for mining.
"Being a good Sailor isn't about being recognized for your hard work," said Hensel. "It's about working hard and letting you shipmates know they can depend on you. That's when you can have true satisfaction in your job."
Hensel remains humbled about the award.
"I was in shock," said Hensel. "I didn't think I stood a chance against the amazing women I was up against. It is a great step in my career and it makes me realize that my hard work has and will continue to pay off."
In addition, Hensel wants to thank everyone who believed in her and pushed her to get to where she is today, both in and out of the Navy.