Rangell Wallen was awarded Naval Base Kitsaps Civilian Employee of the Year award for 2004.

Wallen received the award for her work as a social worker at West Sound Counseling, Advocacy and Prevention Services (CAPS) on Naval Base Kitsap for working with the command of USS Ohio (SSBN 726).  She helped the command in building a program to prevent family abuse among its Sailors.

“After the strong prevention program developed by Wallen, the command developed a no tolerance policy for abuse,” said Beverly Barron, Chief of Clinical Services at CAPS.  “Wallen and the commands leadership dedicated themselves to holding all perpetrators accountable for their actions. Through their combined effort they accomplished a feat that has been unparalleled. For the first time this program helped the Ohio stop all incidents of family violence for an entire year. This is remarkable.”

To get this program going, Wallen had to develop the program and then sell it to the command. Wallen’s first feat was selling USS Ohio leadership on the idea that by devoting many hours to the program they could definitely make a difference in the lives of their Sailors. She instituted weekly, bi-weekly and monthly meetings with command leadership and personnel and convinced the command to utilize creative measures to set aside a special place on the barge for Sailors to receive personal counseling.

The USS Ohio leadership understood the seriousness of the issue, and began working with Wallen to give each Ohio Sailor a chance to get the help they need. Not only has the program been successful, so has the relationship between Wallen and the crew of USS Ohio.

“I’ve been treated so well by the submarine community,” said Wallen. “They’ve welcomed me with open arms.  They believe in what I do and it shows. They see me as a person who believes in Sailors and Sailors families.  I do that because I am in a Sailor family. I have an idea what it’s like.”

Wallen says she was shocked to learn she had received the award but was honored to see recognition for her type of work.

“It’s not often that people get recognized in social work,” said Wallen.  “ I would never dream or expect to get recognized above everybody else.  I love what I do so that makes my job a little easier.”

Though Wallen is modest about her work achievement, her accomplishments are apparent to those who work amongst her.

“She’s a wonderful employee,” said Barron, who is Wallens supervisor. “I submitted her for the award because she’s very motivated. She works very well with all the commands.  If the command has a request, she will work with them and develop a program that will meet their needs.”