The 1997 Sailor of the Year was recently named in Hangar Bay One amidst a crowd of Independence crewmembers joining together to observe the ship's 39th birthday.
Disbursing Clerk 1st Class (SW) Renato Mayo of Olongapo City, Philippines was awarded this honor. He's also the Supervisor of the Quarter for the fourth quarter.
Capt. Mark R. Milliken, Commanding Officer of Independence presented Mayo with a wooden plaque in the shape of the ship.
In the Disbursing Office, Mayo fulfills many responsibilities such as the Military Pay Supervisor, Deputy Disbursing Officer, and Division Command Career Counselor. His collateral duties vary from the Damage Control Training Team to the enlisted duty section five leader for Supply Department.
Mayo's Navy career began over 12 years ago in the Philippines.
"My father, who was a civilian worker for the Navy, influenced me to join," said Mayo. "However, before I enlisted, I received my Philippine accountants license."
It's evident that education has been on the forefront in Mayo's career when considering his achievements. He has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master's degree in Business Administration from the Hawaii Pacific University.
Mayo received his Master's degree while stationed at Personnel Support Detachment, Submarine base, Pearl Harbor, which is just one of many duty stations ranging from USS Sterett (CG 31) to PSD North Island.
The passageways on Independence are no stranger to Mayo. From 1989 to 1990, Mayo was attached to VS-37 deployed to Independence then based out of San Diego, Calif. During this time period, Indy participated in Operation Desert Shield in the Arabian Gulf.
In Nov. 1995, Mayo returned to Independence, this time to the Disbursing Office. In keeping with highest traditions of Naval service and role model for today's younger Sailors, Mayo's motto for his workcenter is to provide the best possible customer service in the fleet. A motto most Sailors on board Indy appreciate, because after all, the main reason we are out here is to get paid.
Mayo hopes this award will help him during the next Chief Petty Officer selection board, which is being held in June. Shortly afterwards, Mayo will walk off Indy's brow and onto Kitty Hawk's, continuing a long legacy of faithful Naval service.
Photo Captions:
DK1(SW) Renato Mayo (right) assists BM2 Robert Odon at the Disbursing Office window.