MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Lt. j.g. Massimo Ongaro, from Montereale Valcellina, Italy was awarded the Navy Recruiting Command (NRC) Officer Recruiter of the Year, Reserve for 2017 during a ceremony at the Navy Memorial in Washington D.C., May 17.
Selection for this award is a testament to Ongaro’s talent acquisition expertise and his positive impact in the local community. Attendees of the event included Adm. Bill Moran, vice chief of naval operations, Vice Adm. Robert Burke, chief of naval personnel, Rear Adm. John Nowell, director, military personnel plans and policy, Rear Adm. Peter Garvin, commander, NRC, Rear Adm. Andrew Mueller, deputy commander, NRC, and Command Master Chief of NRC, Donald Charbonneau.
"The Navy is growing in readiness, capability and capacity in order to be a more lethal, resilient and agile force to deter and defeat aggression by great power competitors and adversaries.... in other words, the Navy the nation needs," said Burke at the awards ceremony. "Some may think that our ships, aircraft and submarines are the Navy's most important assets, but really it's our Sailors."
Ongaro is currently assigned to Navy Recruiting District Houston. For him, the Navy has been a life-changing experience.
“The Navy gave me a deep sense of service, honor and patriotism,” said Ongaro. “It gave a direction and a sense of purpose to my life. It also helped me realize that freedom is not free and that we live in the best country on earth.”
Ongaro was selected for this award from more than 6,100 Navy recruiters across the nation and around the world.
"We are here tonight to recognize the superb work of these outstanding Sailors," said Garvin. "They are the best recruiters in the United States Navy, and they represent the finest recruiting has to offer."
The ceremony was just one event during a three-day occasion held in our nation's capital city. The 18 awardees had the opportunity to visit the Pentagon and meet with senior Navy leadership including Robert Woods, assistant secretary of the Navy for manpower and reserve affairs, and Patrick Barrett, deputy chief Navy Reserve.
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