Somerville native named Marine of the Year

PENSACOLA, Florida - The commanding officer of the U.S. Navy's single point of accountability for aviation technical training announced its Marine of the Year (MOY) in December 2017.

Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) Commanding Officer Capt. Eric J. Simon announced CNATT Unit Oceana’s Naval Air Technical Training Center's Marine Staff Sgt. Jorge H. Henao was selected as the CNATT 2017 MOY.

CNATTU Oceana Commanding Officer Cmdr. David Moore said Henao’s willingness to serve has been a key factor in the command’s overall success.

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“(Henao’s) for the Navy, Marine Corps and our local community are exceptional,” he said. “He looks for ways to ensure the professional development of the Sailors and Marines around him, and is relentless in his pursuit of all endeavors.”

Henao, born in Bogota, Colombia, and now calling Somerville home, serves as the CNATTU Oceana Learning Standards Office representative, ensuring the qualification of all Navy, Marine Corps and civilian instructors on 66 F/A-18 organization and intermediate courses.

A fully qualified instructor, he previously served as the CNATTU Oceana Airframes division senior non-commissioned officer in charge, leading a team of eight Sailors and three Marines in the delivery of more than 1,000 hours of instruction.

Also an active member of the CNATTU Oceana Multicultural Committee, Henao additionally serves as one of Naval Air Station Oceana’s eight High Intensity Tactical Training level two instructors, and leads and supervises weekly physical fitness training for the nearly 600 Marine Corps staff and students assigned to CNATTU Oceana.

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Henao said that being recognized as the CNATT Domain MOY is an honor that stems from the teamwork he strives to employ at CNATTU Oceana, as well as impress on the average of 2,000 students he sees annually.

“A true leader is the one that primarily focuses on the success of his team before putting his or her needs in front. By applying this mindset on the daily bases the leader becomes the best at what he or she does, and validates the characteristics and leadership principles of a true leader,” he said.

“All Sailors and Marines with whom I had the honor and privilege to work with have made a positive impact and impression in several aspects of my life. CNATTU Oceana’s Semper Fidelis attitude is the leading element of our success. It is vital for others to understand that teamwork and loyalty are the key to success.”

CNATT Marine Senior Enlisted Leader Master Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Anderson, said Henao’ s commitment to Navy and Marine Corps values undoubtedly serves as motivation to the service members around him.

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“Selecting a single Marine from a field of such extraordinary nominees is a difficult task,” he said. “We are very fortunate to have some of the Marine Corps’ finest men and women working together to ensure future members of Naval Aviation are well trained.

"As a member of the CNATT team, Staff Sgt. Henao distinguished himself from his peers through hard work and unparalleled dedication in all aspects, and his commitment to excellence sets a sterling example and serves as a source of motivation for the new generation of Marines and Sailors as they begin their journey into Naval Aviation.”

CNATTU Oceana supports the Department of Defense by providing specialized technical training to aviation maintenance professionals for F/A-18 Hornets and automated test equipment in direct support of genuine and emerging fleet requirements. CNATTU Oceana is part of CNATT, which provides single-site management for Navy and Marine Corps aviation technical training.

CNATT is a technical training agent for the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE), an organization designed to advance and sustain naval aviation warfighting capabilities at an affordable cost under Naval Education and Training Command.

Phil Fotopoulos is Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic-Equipment, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Oceana Public Affairs.