Monday, January 27, 2020

Sunrise Beach Native is 2019 Military Instructor of the Year

From Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. – A 1996 graduate of Roosevelt High School in St. Louis, Missouri and Sunrise Beach, Missouri, native was announced as the 2019 Military Instructor of the Year (MIOY) in the senior enlisted category for Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) at a ceremony onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, Jan. 23.

Senior Chief Electronics Technician Tamika C. Williams serves as the training division officer at Training Support Center, Great Lakes, in charge of the command’s training programs in the Sailorization, mentorship and professional development of more than 347 staff members, and more than 4,500 students daily. Her instructional staff provided over 10,560 hours of financial management, personal responsibility, and leadership training to more than 330 LifeSkills classes for more than 8,325 Sailors. Additionally, she trained and qualified 11 LifeSkills instructors, 38 intervention training instructors, and 28 Navy military training instructors. As pass-in-review ceremony coordinator, she trained 25 staff members and 2,200 students on military drill, customs and courtesies, and naval heritage.

Williams was one of 10 Sailors who competed for the title of NETC MIOY, representing the top achievers from a pool of more than 8,000 military members in MyNavy HR Force Development that spans recruiting and training Sailors in an increasingly competitive talent market. She received a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for her achievements.

“When training in a formal setting or more individualized instruction, every interaction with a Sailor is an opportunity to deliver quality and effective training, “said Williams. “I am often perceptive to a Sailor’s overall professional development because they are the future leaders of our Navy. I will eventually retire, so I see it as my duty to provide to them all the tools and training I can give to ensure each Sailor is successful wherever they are in their career.”

Under her mentorship, one staff member was selected Junior Instructor of the Quarter (IOQ); two Mid-grade IOQs; one Junior Instructor of the Year (IOY); one Mid-grade IOY; one Sailor of the Quarter, and one Sailor of the Year.

Williams is part of the team that takes Sailors from “street to fleet” by transforming civilians into highly skilled, operational, and combat-ready warfighters, as well as providing the tools and opportunities for continuous learning and development.

NETC Commander Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad congratulated the finalists for their roles in developing the Navy’s future force and for their contributions to the Force Development mission.

“As we recognize the outstanding contributions of these individuals, it is also fitting to reflect upon the critical role each of them plays in support of fleet readiness,” said Cozad. “Your hard work and professionalism produce the best Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen in the world. I truly appreciate your personal commitment in meeting the continuous and evolving needs of our Navy and Marine Corps team.”

Williams is also qualified as a master training specialist, which is a designation for demonstrating highly effective teaching skills and a comprehensive understanding of schoolhouse management, as well as for taking a leadership role in mentoring, instructing and evaluating instructors and curriculum. She qualified 12 master training specialists and mentors five assigned protégés.

She earned an associate degree in applied science from Thomas Edison State College and a bachelor’s degree in business and management from Excelsior College.

“These outstanding Sailors and Marines were selected from an extremely talented field of candidates who epitomize the honor, courage, and commitment of military personnel throughout MyNavy HR Force Development,” said NETC Force Master Chief Karim Cole.

Williams is the daughter of Willie and Cheryl Harris of Sunrise Beach, Missouri.

The NETC MIOY program recognize Sailors throughout the NETC domain who exhibit attributes, such as sustained superior performance, leadership, mentorship, knowledge and teaching of military history and heritage, self-improvement, command and community involvement, and exemplary military bearing.

For additional information on the Naval Education and Training Command, visit the NETC website: https://www.public.navy.mil/netc or http://www.navy.mil/local/cnet/. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/netcpao.