Lt. Siamack Jamshidipour from Cupertino was awarded the Navy Recruiting Command Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Recruiter of the Year for 2016 at a ceremony at the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C on Feb. 1.

Jamshidipour is assigned to the San Francisco Navy recruiting district. In a press release sent by the Navy Recruiting Command Public Affairs, Jamshidipour said being in the Navy has taught him valuable life lessons.

“The Navy has taught me many important principles that have allowed me to grow as an individual,” he said. “I’ve learned how to become a leader and how to always put my team first. I’ve experienced camaraderie at a level that would not have been possible as a civilian. I’ve had the opportunity to serve with some of the best and brightest minds in our country. I know I am now a better person because of all of these experiences, and I am very grateful for it.”

Vice Adm. Robert Burke, chief of naval personnel, said at the ceremony that Jamshidipour deserved the award for many reasons.

“You were chosen for these awards not just because of your recruiting achievements, but because you represent the total sailor concept,” he said. “You represent everything we want in our Navy today.”

Jamshidipour was chosen from the more than 4,500 U.S Navy recruiters worldwide.