U.S. Navy Leadership Awards Program

American aircraft carriers are frequently described as “floating cities” carrying crews of over 5,000 men and women who work under challenging circumstances to keep America strong. Despite awe-inspiring technical capabilities that make aircraft carriers extremely valuable assets in America’s national defense, the leadership demonstrated by the men and women who serve on board is most impressive. To recognize and honor some of the men and women who demonstrate exceptional public service leadership on American aircraft carriers, the Stennis Center for Public Service created the U.S. Navy Leadership Awards program for our nation’s aircraft carriers and U.S. Navy Recruiting Command. 

As part of the Stennis Center’s effort to strengthen relationships between civilian leaders and the military, the award winners travel to Washington, D.C., where they meet with members of Congress and congressional staff, and other civilian leaders. As the leadership award winners are honored and learn about how policy is made on Capitol Hill, the civilian leaders have an opportunity to learn about the life, values, culture, and institutions of the military through visits with the leadership award winners.

The U.S. Navy Leadership Awards program is an opportunity to honor individuals who are representative of the leadership throughout the ships that are necessary to perform the complex missions of the aircraft carriers successfully. The Stennis Center takes pride in the opportunity to present the awards on behalf of American civilians as an expression of gratitude for the essential service provided by the men and women in military uniform.