Master-at-Arms 1st Class Michael Daniel, Security Department Operations Leading Petty Officer (LPO), received the Hal Lewis Award during a ceremony at Naval Station Everett Jan. 11.

Daniel received the award due to his exceptional leadership qualities, hard work and initiative.

“We got the idea to reward naval personnel that really fulfill a leadership role and think outside the box, someone who goes beyond the normal Navy routine,” said Niles Fowler, former president of Everett Navy League.

According to everyone who works with him, Daniel indeed goes above and beyond everything expected of him.

“His work ethic is the strongest I’ve seen in several years,” said Chief Master-at-Arms Terry Brady, NAVSTA Everett ATO. “He is 100 percent mission driven and displays the attributes of what the chief mess needs.”

Naval Station Everett has worked with the Everett Navy League every year since 1998 to select the most qualified Sailor for the award.

The award is a legacy of Capt. Hal Lewis, former commanding officer of Naval Station Puget Sound during the eighties. According to Fowler, Lewis showed extreme initiative when he helped secure the land for NAVSTA Everett by mortgaging his own home.

Brady said Daniel shows the same traits of initiative and out-of-the-box thinking in his everyday work.

“He finds a process that could be better and he tries to work it out to strengthen the process,” said Brady.

Brady also said Daniel shows remarkable leadership.

“He was leading the most Sailors on the installation,” said Brady. “Under his leadership four were selected as Sailor of the year.”

Immediately after receiving the award, Daniel had a small reenlistment ceremony.