Carson City woman named Junior Sailor of the Year

A Carson City native recently received one of the most prestigious military honors as she was selected as “Junior Sailor of the Year.”

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacqueline Holman, daughter of Jeff Gorman of Carson City, was named the 2016 Junior Sailor of the Year for Naval Health Clinic Charleston, located at Joint Base Charleston — Naval Weapons Station, South Carolina, where she has been stationed since 2013.

Holman joined the Navy after graduating from Carson High School in 2009 and trained to become a hospital corpsman. She’s currently the leading petty officer of NHCC’s Staff Education and Training department.

Holman said she was proud and excited to be named NHCC’s Junior Sailor of the Year.

“It means so much to me,” Holman said. “It’s an honor.”

NHCC Commanding Officer Capt. Elizabeth Maley said it’s a “true joy” having a Sailor with Holman’s caliber and character serving under her command.

“She is a model Sailor who exemplifies the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment,” Maley said. “That’s just one of the reasons she’s our ‘Junior Sailor of the Year.’”

NHCC’s top enlisted Sailor, Command Master Chief Robert Miley, said Holman is the epitome of Navy professionalism.

“Holman has set a high standard through her selfless work ethic, attention to detail and sincere concern for our Sailors,” Miley said. “We are proud to have her represent our Command.”

Holman, who’s currently in charge of five Sailors, but has mentored many more, said she hopes her win teaches the Sailors she mentors with hard work, they too can earn the title “Sailor of the Year.”

“It doesn’t matter where you’re assigned,” Holman said. “You can always think outside of the box, rise above and stand out in the area that you are in.”

Holman credits her own mentors for playing a big part in her success.

“I have some really incredible mentors who helped guide and motivate me when I needed it,” Holman said.

Holman will be leaving NHCC in Spring 2017 to attend training to become a Preventive Medicine Technician. Her long term goals include becoming a Recruit Division Commander and advancing to the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

Her accomplishments include earning the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist designations, and she was meritoriously advanced to 3rd Class Petty Officer under the Navy’s Command Advancement Program.

Her past assignments include serving as a dental assistant aboard the USS Enterprise, and two deployments to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.