Story By: JO3 Jason L. Moore
email: pamoor52@cv62.navy.mil
Date: February 13, 1998
Capt. Mark R. Milliken, Commanding Officer, recently announced the first Independence Sailor and Petty Officer for 1998.
Aviation Storekeeper Airman Phong Mai, from Santa Ana, Calif. and Storekeeper 3rd Class (SW) Terran Bellamy, a native of North Myrtle Beach S.C. were awarded the honor of Sailor and Petty Officer of the Month, respectively. Both will be presented the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal by Milliken.
Mai, who has been on board more than a year and two months, works in the Supply Department, S-1 division (Stock Control). His responsibilities are to provide customer service and financial auditing within S-1.
"He's working above his pay grade," SK1 (SW/AW) Ed Paguia of Manila, Philippines said. "Mai is easy to train and requires zero supervision."
Mai's future goal is to attend college, majoring in physics.
Bellamy works within the S-8 division where he assists in loading and unloading all the mail and cargo from the VRC-30 C-2A Greyhounds (COD). "He's goes above and beyond the expectations of a 3rd class petty officer," SK2 Larry Montelongo of Gilroy, Calif. said.
Bellamy's plans are to achieve the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer. He also wants to try for the Seaman to Admiral program.
Mia was chosen best of 1,200 Sailors, while Bellamy was selected from 400 Petty Officers who were eligible to be named Sailor and Petty Officer of the Month.
Caption 1: AKAN Phong Mai, Sailor of the Month, performs his duties in S-1 division, Stock Control.
Caption 2: SK3(SW) Terran Bellamy, Petty Officer of the Month, works with the COD crew.