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UNDER THE C OL ORS

San Diego Sailor Named Sailor of the Year,

Promoted to Chief Petty Officer

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian T. Glunt, Navy Office of Community Outreach

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) — A Trini- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo “My most memorable moment during
dad & Tobago born, San Diego sailor and Zumwalt and MCPON John Whittet the week was the NEXCOM uniform fitting
2016 San Diego State University graduate initiated the SOY program in 1972 to with my peer SOYs. Being able to witness
was named as the U.S. Navy Reserve Sailor recognize outstanding Atlantic and Pacific the expression on each person's face as
of the Year (SOY) during a ceremony at Fleet sailors. Navy Reserve and Shore SOY we individually try on our khakis was a
the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. programs were later introduced. surreal and very proud moment,” said Bag-
and meritoriously advanced to the rank of During the ceremony, Smith gave the goo. “The most poignant piece of advice I
chief petty officer, May 16. Sailors of the Year some advice to keep took away from interacting with MCPON
Chief Petty Officer Angelita Baggoo, in mind as they continue their careers as was to continue to lead with honor and
a Navy personnel specialist, assigned to chief petty officers. humility. Encourage growth at every level
Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center "Everyone who has ever written a let- and continue to challenge sailors for
Norfolk, Virginia, is one of four honorees ter for you, made a phone call for you, sat success."
who visited Washington, D.C., May 14-17, down and gave you advice, took time out Chief Petty Officer Baggoo is a native
of Trinidad and Tobago and immigrated to
Brooklyn, New York, in June 2000 where
she attended Boys & Girls High School,
graduating in 2004. In 2007, she enlisted
in the U.S. Navy under the National Call to
Service program. After completing Recruit
Training Command Great Lakes, she
attended personnel specialist 'A' School
in Meridian, Mississippi. Following her
graduation, Baggoo reported to Person-
nel Support Detachment Afloat West as a
receipt and transfer clerk where she was
selected as the 2008 Blue Jacket of the
Quarter.
In 2008, Baggoo transferred to the U.S.
Navy Reserve and was assigned to the
Navy Pay and Personnel Support Center,
for the SOY Recognition Week, hosted of their day – making their day longer – to Detachment Delta, where she advanced
by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy help you get to this point in your career to petty officer third class. In 2010, she
(MCPON) Russell Smith. is the reason you’re standing here," said volunteered for mobilization under Op-
Each year, every Navy command Smith. "Your special obligation for the rest eration Enduring Freedom and deployed
around the world chooses its SOY based of your career and the remainder of the with the Navy Military Police Battalion to
on leadership, professionalism, dedica- time you wear those anchors is to earn Bagram, Afghanistan, where she served as
tion, and superior performance. These this." a pay clerk.
selectees compete against recipients from Throughout the week these four In May 2012, Baggoo reported to Navy
other commands, eventually competing sailors and their families had the oppor- Mobilization Processing Site Gulfport
at higher echelons until the Navy's four tunity to tour Mount Vernon, the National as the travel claims authorizing official.
finest are chosen as the U.S. Naval Reserve, Archives, and the Smithsonian Museums, During the mobilization, she conducted
U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Navy Shore and U.S. among many other leadership, naval heri- weekly travel briefs and reviewed and
Fleet Forces Sailors of the Year. tage, and team-building events. submitted travel claims for processing.
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