Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Seattle Native Meritoriously Promoted to Petty Officer Second Class

(NORFOLK, Va.) A Seattle native was meritoriously promoted to the rank of petty officer second class aboard the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), March 6. 

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zachary Sleeper, a 2014 graduate of Kennedy Catholic High School, was one of 68 Sailors to receive a promotion to the next paygrade as part of the Navy’s Meritorious Advancement Program (MAP).

The program allows commanding officers to advance eligible Sailors to the next paygrade in recognition of their hard work and dedication.

Capt. Kyle Higgins, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower’s commanding officer, congratulated the Sailors.

“I want these Sailors to understand their leadership position,” said Higgins. “My advice to all who were advanced is to keep performing. You can never rest where we are; it’s always where we’re going.”

Sleeper said he was honored to be selected.

“I am unbelievably excited to come into work every day and know that the people I work with have entrusted me with that much more responsibility,” he said.

Dwight D. Eisenhower is currently undergoing routine maintenance in its Norfolk homeport.