U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sean RinnerCommander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, Rear Adm. Thomas Luscher, left, presents Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Cedrick Jenkins, assigned to Commander, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, with a Lone Sailor Award following his selection as Fiscal Year 2017 Navy Reserve Full Time Support Shore Sailor of Year (SOY). Jenkins will go on to compete for the title of 2017 Vice Chief of Naval Operations (Naval Shore Activities) SOY. 

A Meridian native took home the coveted 2017 Navy Reserve Full Time Support Shore Sailor of the Year award during a ceremony Jan. 11 at the Naval Station in Norfolk, Virginia.

Commander of Navy Reserve Forces Command, Rear Adm. Thomas Lusher, presented the award to Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Cedrick Jenkins, a Meridian native assigned to Commander, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve. 

Jenkins beat out four other finalists and will go on to compete for the 2017 Vice Chief of Naval Operations (Naval Shore Activities) Sailor of the Year (SOY) award.

“It is a humbling feeling to be selected as shore SOY. Many Sailors are worthy to be in this position,” Jenkins said in a Navy news release. “I am honored and privileged to be here alongside such great Sailors.”

Jenkins attributed his success to the example of his leadership, peers and junior sailors.

“My command leadership instilled a sense of trust in me, my peers pushed me forward, and my Junior Sailors looked up to me for advice that I was able to provide,” Jenkins said in the news release.

Finalists spoke to naval leaders before the announcement.

“It’s phenomenal to see the level of performance that happens as [sailors] filter their way up through the selection boards,” Force Master Chief Christopher Kotz said. “I read through every package that was submitted, it’s fantastic to know what sailors are doing across the force.”

Sailor of the Year finalists included Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Cedrick Jenkins 4th Marine Division New Orleans; Personnel Specialist 1st Class Darvell Connell, Navy Operational Support Center Houston; Logistic Specialist 1st Class Amy Simon, Navy Region Northwest Reserve Component Command Everett; Information Systems Technician 1st Class Steven Mahon, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command Norfolk; and Logistic Specialist 1st Class Billy Yao, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Reserve Component Command Great Lakes.