I Own This: December 2020 Nominees

PS Magazine’s I Own This campaign is designed to recognize Warfighters of all services who exemplify the highest standards of care for their assigned vehicles and equipment and contribute in meaningful ways to their unit's overall maintenance and supply posture. In short, they live and breathe readiness.
 
This month, we had five Warfighters nominated for this program, including our first-ever Sailor (Seabee). All are deserving of this recognition. One was selected at random to get the spotlight placed on them. This month, that Warfighter is SPC Anna Wilson.
 
How did you come to know/observe the nominee's actions? SPC Anna Wilson worked for me as the lead carpenter/mason on the Mare Island Naval (MINC) Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) project. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 requirements, she was working on the job site as one of only two 12W trained carpenters.         
 
Why does this individual deserve recognition? In particular, SPC Anna Wilson was a key member of a team that formed the largest (69’ long) of three new retaining walls in the MINC. This wall consisted of over 522 square feet of forms that were held together by over 508 board feet of 2x4 lumber and over 284 Jahn^® brackets. The forms for this wall were put together in a 12-hour period that went all night long and were completed within 2 hours of the arrival of the concrete trucks. Overall, an outstanding engineering feat for Soldiers who were largely depending on the training and expertise of SPC Wilson—one of two trained 12W carpenters on the job site at the time.

Any additional comments? This wall would end up being a 16 cubic yard concrete pour.  
   
Soldier's Name:       E3 Zachary Bokanyi
Unit:                          Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, Gulfport, MS / Rota, Spain Detachment
Position/Title:          Construction Mechanic (CMCN)     
Component:             Navy/Active       
NSN or End Item:    HMMWV, MTVRs, different types of construction equipment
Nominated by:        CMCS James Watkins
Justification:           As NMCB 133 DET Rota’s construction mechanic, CMBN Bokanyi was instrumental in the completion of 128 preventive maintenance checks totaling 144 man-hours on 281 pieces of heavy construction equipment, ultimately leading to 98% periodic preventive maintenance accomplishment rating. He was also responsible for 51 corrective repairs which ultimately increased equipment availability by 10%. He’s always seen with the correct personal protective equipment on and utilizing the correct tools and tech manuals. He has completed maintenance spot checks with unit leadership and scored “above standards” on every one of them. His motivation to complete maintenance efficiently and correctly, vastly supports the battalion’s mission readiness and ensures equipment is Fully Mission Capable (FMC). His effort displayed by CMCN Bokanyi is unmatched. His knowledge and expertise continues to grow as he proves to be a vital member of the Alfa Company Maintenance Team.

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Soldier's Name:       SPC Jacob Brown
Unit:                          554th EN Construction Co., 92nd EN Bn, , Ft Stewart, GA
Position/Title:          Petroleum Heavy Vehicle Operator     
Component:             Army/Active       
NSN or End Item:     Cargo truck and HEMTT fuel truck
Nominated by:         1LT Tyler McWilliam
Justification:           SPC Brown spent the last nine months getting his fuel truck operational and himself certified, licensed and trained on that vehicle. While this is part of his duties, what’s noteworthy is that this is the first time in over three years that our company has had both an operational fuel truck and trained, licensed operator to conduct both retail and field refuel operations. SPC Brown reached out beyond the unit to adjacent units for support to achieve this. He has improved the unit’s readiness and its ability to operate autonomously.

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Soldier's Name:       SSG Thomas Hoke​
Unit:                          Co. A, 1st BN, 118th Infantry Regiment
Position/Title:          Unit Supply Sergeant     
Component:             Army/National Guard       
NSN or End Item:     All Unit Equipment
Nominated by:         SFC Nick Kelley
Justification:           SSG Hoke led the unit to outstanding results on the most recent COMET (Command Maintenance Evaluation Team) inspection. He offered to support his peers during their inspections and played a critical role in maximizing the battalion’s equipment and maintenance readiness status. SSG Hoke’s unwavering stewardship of the command maintenance discipline is worthy of emulation.

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Soldier's Name:       SPC Steadson Wallace Jr. ​
Unit:                          F Co., 148th BSB
Position/Title:          Mechanic    
Component:             Army/National Guard
NSN or End Item:    2320-01-549-8611 / Cargo truck
Nominated by:        CW2 Chris Tyree
Justification:           SPC Wallace has been with F Co, 148^th BSB, for several years now, and I have his knowledge and understanding steadily expand. He is never late to drill and never misses a drill except for military schools. He is always the first to the motor pool and is driven to keep his vehicle and equipment mission ready. His equipment is never rarely deadlined except for typical serviceable replacement items, such as ball joints. He always annotates every deficiency as quickly as he discovers them. He has such a drive that he’s inspired other Soldiers in the company to try and outperform him, yet he never fails to deliver. He’d assisted the recovery teams in understanding proper procedures and safety guidelines; supported the contact teams in repairing equipment that they did not understand; and even taught production controllers the proper steps and practices to assist in work orders, parts processing and turn-ins. His dedication to serve has, in turn, made the entire company more prepared than many others in the BSB. SPC Wallace has earned the respect of the unit, both superiors and peers alike, fostering a more productive company as a direct result of his dedication to maintenance.