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Here's a great article I found at www.northwestnavigator.com: -- Naval Base Kitsap’s Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) recently selected their Civilian, Sailor and junior Sailor of the Year (CoY, SoY, JSoY) for 2004. Human resources assistant Michael Oakes was selected for CoY, Personnelman 1st Class (SW) Tracy Plutta was selected as their SoY and PNSN Travis Belisle was honored with his selection as JSoY. Oakes, a former PN2, finished his seven year Navy career at PSD Bangor. He said he loved the job so much, he didn’t want to leave. “I enjoy my work and who I work with,” said Oakes. “I get along with my coworkers really well and I just love helping people.” In April, Oakes was able to help someone in a way he never imagined. While traveling on Rt. 303, he witnessed a horrific car accident and quickly jumped into action. He pulled off to the side of the road and ran to the victim, pulling him from the vehicle just before it blew up. “I saved someone’s life that day,” he said. Oakes said he doesn’t know if that played a role in his selection for civilian of the year, but to him it doesn’t matter, he just did what he felt he had to do. Over the past three year’s at PSD, Oakes has come close to receiving this selection. He’s been selected as civilian of the quarter twice during that time. Besides taking pride in his work, he is heavily involved in his son’s extracurricular activities. As a volunteer coach for his child’s basketball team, he helps out the other coaches in teaching children the basics of sportsmanship. Oakes admits that everyday is different at PSD. He said he owes much of his success to his mentor, PNCS (SW/AW) William Farley. Through his leadership, Oakes said the quality of his work has improved. Above all, the reaction from those he assists on a daily basis is the most rewarding.  “It’s nice getting ‘thank you’s’ from people I assist,” Oakes said. “It’s very gratifying.” For PSD’s Sailor of the year, PN1 (SW) Tracy Plutta feels she just does her job. However, her superiors feel that she does her job very well and that’s why she was selected.  As the leading petty officer (LPO) for the Separations Department, she tutors the junior personnel in her office, as well being the training officer for her command. But for Plutta, being recognized by her command is nothing new. She was selected as SoY while at PSD Charleston in South Carolina and was the JSoQ while on the USS O’Bannon (DD 987) in Mayport, Fla.  Plutta said she couldn’t have done her job without her coworkers. “If the guys in my section didn’t do their job, I wouldn’t be able to stand out.” PNSN Travis Belisle has only worked at PSD Bangor since October, yet has been able to shine above all other junior Sailors, enabling him to be selected as JSoY. Growing up in a military family, Belisle said his parents always pushed him to work hard.  “My mom raised me with the ‘work before play’ attitude,” said Belisle. “When it’s time to work, you work.” Now working in the record vault, Belisle said he takes his job very seriously, putting customer service as his top priority. Being selected the JSoY isn’t the pinnacle for Belisle though. “I always strive to succeed and do better. I never settle for where I’m at.” http://www.northwestnavigator.com/index.php/navigator/regionalnews/personnel_support_detachment_psd_selects_its_best/