Petty Officer Takes The Boards

Program Manager, July, 2000 by Kenneth E. Lowery II

The Defense Systems Management College recently held its first Enlisted Person of the Quarter board of the new millennium. When the smoke cleared, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Robin W. Kelsick stood alone. Kelsick is an interior communications electrician who has been stationed here at DSMC for approximately three years.

Kelsick first heard about the board about two weeks before it convened. Although the boards were right around the comer, he persevered and studied whenever possible partly due to the support of his unit.

"They were extremely supportive," said Kelsick. "It helped me to relax to know I could count on them for the time I needed."

Kelsick also gleaned knowledge from his peers to aid in his studies.

"I talked to people who went up prior to me and they gave me pointers."

The Enlisted Person of the Quarter board, precursor to the Enlisted Person of the Year board, is designed to allow enlisted personnel to rise to the occasion and shine above their respective peers. The board consists of a chairman and a panel of senior noncommissioned officers who ask a series of job-related, Service-related, and current events questions. The panel also observes each servicemember for posture, uniform appearance, and overall military bearing.

"[The board] lets us recognize our outstanding personnel," said Navy Master Chief Scott Russell, Senior Enlisted Advisor, DSMC. "It puts them in the running for the Enlisted Person of the Year program."

Besides a certificate of commendation from the DSMC Commandant, Kelsick also walked away with a $25 gift certificate redeemable at the post exchange; a $25 check from the Noncommissioned Officers Association (NCOA); an NCOA certificate of award for Petty Officer of the Quarter; and an NCOA certificate of award for Sailor of the Quarter.

"I'm leaning more toward doing my twenty [years in service], he said. Kelsick also remarked that he would be taking his examination for promotion in September.

For all those considering following in his footsteps, Kelsick offers this advice.

"Work hard and be good at what you do. Help out and volunteer in the community."

Editor's Note: Lowery is a staff writer for Program Manager magazine.