A Sailor from Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CVWP) will be recognized as the Commander Naval Air Forces Pacific (CNAP) Enlisted Woman of the Year at a luncheon in San Diego, March 31.

Logistics Specialist 1st Class (AW) B. Chi Porter was one of two selections for CNAP to be recognized during the event which is hosted by the Navy League of the United States, San Diego Council. This marks the 49th year the Navy League has hosted the event.

“I’m truly honored for the simple fact that I was chosen. I was surprised,” said Porter.

“I’m going to try to enjoy the experience because I’ve never had anything like this happen.” she added.

The selection process involved a command recommendation and an essay submitted by the service member on “What Military Service Means To Me.” Porter recently returned from an Individual Augmentee (IA) in December and said her experiences while working with different services on IA influenced her essay and her outlook on service in general.

“It was really an eye-opener; I was in a small forward-operating base in Afghanistan. I was a gunner; I was serving in an actual combat role so it was different. We were relying on the Air Force and the Army,” said Porter. “You learned what military really meant because you relied on each other. You could get killed if the person next to you wasn’t paying attention, wasn’t doing their job and taking responsibility for their role. I think the military means a lot more to me now because I went out there. It’s more serious to me.”

“She did a lot of stuff while she was over there and some of the territories she was in were pretty dangerous. Not too many women want to do stuff like that,” said Finley. “She showed her bravery and her courage.”

Porter currently works as the Component Control Section Leading Petty Officer (LPO) in Fleet Readiness Center Northwest (FRC NW) on Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island.

“I just want to be in a role where I can actually mentor because that’s kind of my favorite thing about being in the Navy right now. Once I got to a senior position; I found I actually like teaching these kids,” said Porter. “It’s rewarding when they learn their jobs and make rate and you’re responsible, in a way, for them excelling.”

“She’s a leader; she’s a person the junior people can go to,” said Chief Logistics Specialist (SW) Val Finley, the CVWP Aviation Support Division (ASD) Leading Chief Petty Officer.

“She’s fantastic at (her job); there’s not one junior person in here that wouldn’t come to her for any personal or professional advice. She’s always truthful with these guys and that’s what I like about her.” Finley added.

Prior to leaving on IA in Nov. 2008, Porter wore many hats as the ASD LPO, a senior section leader, the command reserve coordinator, individual component repair list coordinator and the Expeditionary Support Unit LPO, which involved taking care of and assisting deployed squadrons.

“I was constantly going; I wasn’t ever sitting down, I was always doing something. It was a good learning experience,” said Porter.