Sailors that show outstanding initiative and commitment to the Navy’s mission and teamwork are selected as Sailor of the Year and Junior Sailor of the Year after standing before a board of senior Sailors. Sarver is known for his irreplaceable ability to build morale for the Wyoming crew and leading a group of junior Sailors to do the same through the culinary arts.
“My favorite part of my job is making the crew happy and satisfied,” Sarver said. “If they’re happy, it’s smooth sailing.”
Sarver joined the Navy to accomplish something grand and serving aboard a submarine, he said, is definitely an achievement for the books.
“My proudest accomplishment so far has been leading my junior Sailors to a very successful career in the culinary workforce,” he said. “The camaraderie is one of my favorite aspects of the submarine force, but I also feel pride while wearing the fish on my chest.”
“Fish,” as they are commonly called, are the two fish symbols on the submarine warfare pin which is only issue out to personnel who have achieved the status of knowing each job on the boat. Submariners are required to know every aspect of the crews’ jobs so, in case of emergency, any submariner can fill the role of the person next to them.
Sarver is undoubtedly a submarine professional after working on six nuclear deterrent patrols in the last four years.
The Wyoming is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, delivery of special operation forces, strike warfare, irregular warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and mine warfare. It’s 560 feet long and 42 feet wide and weighs nearly 7,800 tons, powered by a nuclear reactor to push the boat through the water at speeds of more than 25 knots while submerged.