The Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) has announced Master-at-Arms First Class (MA1) Patrick Hill as its fiscal year 2024 Sailor of the Year (SOY) during a ceremony held at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Hill, who hails from Pensacola, Florida, is currently stationed at Naval Technical Training Center in Lackland, Texas.
- Hill emerged as the top candidate from a field of four finalists, each representing the highest performers across NETC’s major commands worldwide. The selection process evaluated candidates from among more than 12,000 first class petty officers throughout the NETC domain, including recruiters, recruit division commanders, training instructors, classroom instructors, and support staff responsible for preparing warfighters for Fleet service.
Outstanding Finalists
The impressive group of finalists for the NETC Sailor of the Year included:
- Hospital Corpsman First Class Savannah Buza, assigned to Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois
- Machinist’s Mate First Class Aysha Francis, assigned to Mariner Skills Training Center Pacific, San Diego, California
- Master-at-Arms First Class Patrick Hill, assigned to Naval Technical Training Center, Lackland, Texas
- Aviation Electronics Technician First Class SeanMichael Owens, assigned to the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit North Island, San Diego, California
Leadership Praises Exceptional Sailors
“Each of these Sailors are outstanding examples of the best and brightest our Navy has to offer,” said NETC’s Force Master Chief, Rick Mengel. “The competition was tough, and I am personally proud and honored to have been in their presence this week.”
NETC Commander Rear Adm. Jeffrey Czerewko also commended the finalists, stating: “Each of the Sailors was recognized not just as someone who does their job well—but as someone who leads with purpose and someone who holds true to the NETC mission – in measurable and impactful ways. Out of the thousands of Sailors across the NETC domain, these Sailors stand out as the absolute best of the best.”
Admiral Czerewko further emphasized the crucial role these outstanding sailors play: “You are not just part of NETC. You are NETC. You shape the minds, bodies, and spirits of our warfighters. You ensure that our Navy is not only ready to deter our adversaries today – but you lay the foundation for our Navy so that it will become more lethal and more survivable tomorrow.”
Advancement and Accomplishments
As the newly selected NETC Sailor of the Year, MA1 Hill has been pre-selected for advancement to chief petty officer.
- In his current role as leading petty officer of the training support department at NTTC Lackland, Hill has demonstrated exceptional leadership. He has guided 24 instructors in training and developing 184 students. His additional accomplishments include coordinating indoctrination for 987 accession Sailors, overseeing 2,340 room inspections, and addressing 187 maintenance repairs across 216 barracks rooms—significantly improving living conditions for 726 Navy, Army, and Marine Corps personnel.
When asked about his selection as NETC Sailor of the Year, Hill reflected on his journey and acknowledged those who supported him throughout his 9-year naval career: “It is a testament to the hard work and dedication I put in over the last nine years, along with those who walked alongside me, from my leaders, junior Sailors, my pastor – they made this possible.”
About Naval Education and Training Command
NETC serves as the U.S. Navy’s Force Development pillar and stands as the Navy’s largest shore command. Through its comprehensive “Street to Fleet” model, NETC recruits civilians and transforms them into skilled, combat-ready warfighters prepared to meet both current and future needs of the U.S. Navy.