SOM/POM: Professionalism, commitment to excellence

The Independence Sailor and Petty Officer for the month of February were presented the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NAM) yesterday morning in Auxiliary Conning by Capt. Mark R. Milliken, Commanding Officer.

Airman Andy Hernandez, from Odessa, Tex. and Operations Specialist 2rd Class (SW) Jeffery Herzog, a native of Sterling, Va. were awarded the honor of Sailor and Petty Officer of the Month, respectively.

Hernandez works in Air Department, V-4 division as a JP5 jet fuel filter operator. His responsibilities are to assure the JP5 jet fuel is filtered before it enters the aircraft on the flight deck.

"If an aircraft receives bad fuel, then it may have an accident," Hernandez said.

"He’s one of the best workers I have," Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 1st Class (AW) Kenneth Spaulding of Cohoes N.Y. said. "He always takes on added responsibilities."

Herzog works in the Combat Direction Center where he performs duties as the ship’s weapons coordinator. In this position, Herzog makes weapons recommendations to the Tactical Action Officer in combative situations.

"He’s extremely professional and always tries to better himself," OSC (SW/AW) Lance Jenkins of Virginia Beach, Va. said.

Herzog’s is currently submitting a package for the Seaman to Admiral program and is close to becoming an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist.

Hernadez was chosen best of 1,200 Sailors, while Herzog was selected from 400 Petty Officers who were eligible to be named Petty Officer of the Month.