U.S. Navy Leadership Awards Program
Program Overview
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.
USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77)
The George H.W. Bush (presented to officers) and the Charles G. Zwierzynski (presented to chief petty officers) recognize individuals who have demonstrated sustained superior performance and exhibited the most exceptional leadership skills.
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
The Five Star (presented to officers) and the Waging Peace (presented to chief, senior, or master petty officers) recognize individuals who most exemplify the exceptional vision, integrity, courage, commitment to duty, and hard work that marked President Dwight. D. Eisenhower’s career.
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)
The Eagle (presented to officers), the Wolverine (presented to chief and senior chief petty officers), and the Bulldog (presented to petty officers) recognize individuals whose daily lives reflect high standards of honesty, integrity, fortitude, physical and moral courage, social responsibility and family values.
PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN-79)
The President (presented to officers), the Statesman (presented to chief petty officers), and the Commander (presented to petty officers) recognize individuals who have demonstrated sustained superior performance and exhibited the most exceptional leadership skills.
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)
The Statesman Leadership (presented to officers), the Abraham Lincoln Union Leadership (presented to chief petty officers), and the Abraham Lincoln Liberty Leadership (presented to petty officers) recognize individuals who have demonstrated sustained superior performance and exhibited the most exceptional leadership skills.
USS Nimitz (CVN 68)
The CINCPAC (presented to officers), the 5-Star (presented to chief petty officers), and the Pacific Thunder (presented to petty officers) recognize individuals who have demonstrated sustained superior performance and exhibited the most exceptional leadership skills.
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
The Straight Furrow (presented to enlisted persons or officers), the Look Ahead (presented to petty officers), and the Constitution (presented to sailors) recognize individuals who best demonstrates the values and principles of honor, courage, commitment, foresight, and integrity.
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)
The Outstanding Blue Jacket (presented to airmen, seamen, or firemen), the Petty Officer (presented to petty officers), and the Chief (presented to chiefs) recognize individuals who have demonstrated sustained superior performance and exhibited the most exceptional leadership skills.
USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)
The Admiral (presented to officers) and the Swamp Fox (presented to chief petty officers) recognize individuals who have demonstrated sustained superior performance and exhibited the most exceptional leadership skills.
USS George W. Washington (CVN-73)
The President (presented to officers), the Statesman (presented to chief petty officers), and the Commander (presented to petty officers) recognize individuals who have demonstrated sustained superior performance and exhibited the most exceptional leadership skills.
Navy Recruiting Command
The Enlisted Recruiter of the Year, Reserve Recruiter of the Year, and the Enlisted Nuclear Recruiter of the Year recognize individuals who have demonstrated sustained superior performance and exhibited the most exceptional leadership skills.