DVIDS – News – CNATRA Names Sailor of the Year

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Chief of Naval Air Education (CNATRA) named Yeoman 1st Class (EXW) Cedric Foster the command Sailor of the Calendar year (SOY) for 2020.

SOY selection is a prestigious honor and acknowledges Sailors who embody sustained remarkable functionality, command impact, tested leadership and the Navy’s main values.

CNATRA chosen Foster as the best performer among 12 initially course petty officers throughout the Naval Air Training Command, which spans five teaching air wings and 17 squadrons in Florida, Mississippi, and Texas.

Foster is a indigenous of Oklahoma City and graduated from Westmoore Large Faculty in 2001. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2007 and deployed in assistance of Operations Enduring Independence and Iraqi Liberty. Foster acquired his associate’s degree in 2017 and is on track to graduate with honors from American Navy University.

“I consider a large amount of pride in what I do, in serving my state and assisting others out together the way,” Foster said. “Being chosen as CNATRA Sailor of the Yr implies a whole lot to me, but this is a team accomplishment. Excellent leaders and mentors have molded me into who I am and this honor is the end result of that perform.”

Foster managed administrative responsibilities at Schooling Air Wing (TRAWING) 4 for 483 energetic obligation Sailors and 78 Navy Reserve officers. He dealt with more than 15,000 Navy Typical Integrated Personnel Process (NSIPS) transactions, processed additional than 3,500 days of Reserve orders, and managed practically $4 million in transactions for the Protection Travel Technique.

“TRAWING 4 gave me the chance to be productive and powerful in my place,” Foster reported. “I’ve been uncovered to the operational, aviation aspect of the Navy. Operating with pilots has been a spotlight of my time in this article and viewing youthful college students complete their aims has been worthwhile.”

Foster characteristics his achievements to his mentors, leadership and interactions with his fellow Sailors.

“Having a potent backing and the right persons in your corner helps make all the variance,” Foster reported. “This command has supported me in nearly anything I’ve required to execute. TRAWING 4 and its management will constantly stay with me. They’ve taken the SOY course of action severely and taken treatment of me.

“I have mentors I lean on and if I have challenges, I decide on up the mobile phone and simply call people grasp chiefs and senior chiefs. You generally require that assistance to be thriving no a single can make it by them selves. It is a staff notion.”

Senior Main Naval Aircrewman Tactical Helicopter Matt Jirrels serves as CNATRA’s senior enlisted advisor for Navy aircrew and counseled Foster for his accomplishment.

“YN1 Foster signifies TRAWING 4 and CNATRA very effectively,” Jirrels stated. “His personal perseverance, determination and passion introduced him this recognition. I’m really grateful for the initiatives of our leadership to recognizing tough-charging junior Sailors these types of as YN1 Foster.”

Foster understands he serves as an case in point to young Sailors and needs to go along the assist he has been offered through his vocation.

“I have to assistance provide people today up with me,” Foster claimed. “I want to preserve increasing so my concentrate can flip to becoming a mentor to many others and support convey them up. This recognition indicates I’m executing my position the ideal way, the command is succeeding and I’m contributing to that impression. I hope I’m environment the bar for future Sailors to know they can do this, much too.”

Foster detached from TRAWING 4 and documented to Navy Expeditionary Overcome Command in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in March.

CNATRA trains the world’s greatest beat-good quality aviation industry experts, offering them at the appropriate time, in the right quantities, and at the right price tag to a naval drive that is wherever it issues, when it issues.