Sailor of the Year
Petty Officer First Class Brian Richardson, left, was honored Jan. 24 when he was named Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division's Sailor of the Year by NAWCAD Commander Rear Adm. Randy Mahr. (U.S. Navy photo)
Although his father served in the U.S. Air Force, Petty Officer First Class Brian Richardson said he never intended to follow in his dad’s footsteps.
However, fate had another plan, and Richardson, a self-proclaimed “wild child,” joined the Navy in July 1996 at age 22 when he became “tired of doing nothing.”
His goal was to serve a minimum four years, but Richardson said he liked his work in aviation administration, so he continued to serve. More than 15 years later, Richardson remains committed to the Navy and has earned accolades for his accomplishments. NAWCAD Commander Rear Adm. Randy Mahr selected him Jan. 24 as the organization’s 2011 Sailor of the Year.
“I don’t work for recognition; I love what I do,” said Richardson, the logs and records leading petty officer for Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23. “I enjoy working with diverse people and quality Sailors. [Serving in the Navy] makes you feel like you’re a part of something big.”
Called a key player in VX 23’s Maintenance Department, Richardson provides oversight to 112 military and 253 contract personnel performing organizational-level maintenance on 36 unique research, development, test and engineering aircraft.
VX-23 Commanding Officer Marine Corps Col. Charles Gray touted the petty officer’s skills in his nomination package, saying he is a “charismatic leader who fosters cooperation and focuses command goals, while developing each and every one of the Sailors under his charge. “¦ Under his leadership, VX-23 readiness has improved dramatically while heightening the overall professionalism of the division.”
With additional recognition as VX 23’s Sailor of the Year, Richardson’s NAWCAD honor made him eligible to compete at headquarters level for NAVAIR Sailor of the Year. That winner, Operations Specialist Petty Officer First Class Aisha Jenkins, was announced at a Feb. 2 ceremony at NAVAIR headquarters. Jenkins will now vie for the 2011 Vice Chief of Naval Operations Naval Shore Activities Sailor of the Year.
NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. David Architzel, the keynote speaker for the Feb. 2 ceremony, encouraged the three finalists to mentor the next generation of Sailors.
“They will be hungry for leadership and for role models to respect, follow and show them the way,” Architzel said. “Give them the benefit of your experience. Honor the legacy of those who taught you. Be available, be willing, be understanding and pay it forward for the greater good.”
Born in Wiesbaden, Germany, Richardson was raised in Biloxi, Miss., from age 4 until he enlisted in the Navy. He briefly studied at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College before joining the service, and is on track to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University in spring 2012.
Richardson lives near Pax River with his wife and daughter. A community leader, he volunteers with the Special Olympics, serves Thanksgiving meals at an area homeless shelter and mentors students at Town Creek Elementary School.
At the ceremony’s conclusion, Richardson was photographed with the khaki-uniformed members of the Southern Maryland Mustang Association, Navy and Marine Corps officers who once served in the enlisted ranks, and now mentor young Sailors and Marines.
Mahr expressed confidence that Richardson would one day join their ranks as an officer.
“We need you to wear khaki,” Mahr said. “We need you to lead the Navy. Eventually, we’ve got to retire. I think we’re leaving it in good hands.”
Source: NAWCAD Public Affairs
