NIWC Atlantic FY24 Q1 Awards

This week we held our Fiscal Year 2024 1st Quarter Awards and All Hands Ceremony, during which, we took the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of our teammates who have proven themselves as the best of the best among a team of winners.  

By honoring them, we honor each of YOU – our real-life heroes making a real difference every day. With boots on the ground and from locations all around the globe, we – YOU – are making our world a safer place, on both physical and virtual battlegrounds.  

You are superstars and we are proud that we get to shine a spotlight on your excellence. We thank all of you for every effort you put forward to helping us accomplish our mission every single day.  

Please join us in congratulating the following quarterly and honorary award recipients:   

1st Quarter FY24 Winners:    

• Sr. Military Service Member of the Quarter: ET1 Jeffery Hart, Charleston  
• Jr. Military Service Member of the Quarter: YN2 Neida Castronegron, Charleston 
• Civilian of the Quarter: Jose Zertuche, Wisconsin
• Supervisor/Manager of the Quarter: William Schmitz, Charleston  
• New Professional of the Quarter: Panharith Vong, Charleston
• STEM Outreach of the Quarter: James Merfeld, Charleston  
• Contracting Officer’s Representative of the Quarter: Christopher Thatch, Charleston  
• Mission Execution Leader of the Quarter: Christopher Hamilton, Charleston 
• Mission Execution Support of the Quarter: Grant Byrum, Charleston  
• Fail Smart/Lean Forward of the Quarter: CVN 73 Large Deck NEWCON IPT, Charleston, Norfolk 

DON Honorary Awards:  

 DON Meritorious Civilian Service Commendation Medals:  

• Bethany Calabrese, Charleston 
• Lani Hedler, Charleston 

• Jacob Thiry, Charleston 

 Bravo Zulu to these outstanding individuals! 

During the ceremony we honored numerous recipients of You Made a Difference and career service awards, with two of our civilians reaching incredible milestones – Marion Welch with 45 years and Christian LaForce with 50 years of service to the government.   

We also highlighted our Women Warriors campaign in celebration of Women’s History Month. Please go to our Daily News to check out the many vignettes featuring our courageous  Women Warriors of NIWC Atlantic  who have served as trailblazers and change makers, furthering the rights and opportunities for women across our Navy and our Nation. 

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