Coast Guard Northeast names active duty, reserve enlisted persons of the year
by U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Northeast 30 Mar 2018 05:39 PDT
Two Northeast-based Coast Guard petty officers were chosen as the 2017 active duty enlisted person of the year and reserve enlisted person of the year for the First Coast Guard District during a recognition banquet Wednesday, at Coast Guard Base Boston.
The Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year Program recognizes exemplary performance by the men and woman from the active and reserve enlisted workforce. Nominees reflect the spirit of pride, professionalism and dedication and have demonstrated exceptional performance in the areas of: leadership, job skills, personal and work ethics, Coast Guard knowledge, uniform appearance, military bearing, and community relations.
Petty Officer 1st Class John Joeckel, a marine science technician assigned to the Incident Management Division at Sector Northern New England, was selected at the First Coast Guard District's Enlisted Person of the Year.
Joeckel was recognized for his work during several high-profile pollution investigations and as a federal on-scene coordinator representative during an ammonia release onboard a fishing vessel in downtown Portland, Maine, and during a 3,000 gallon oil spill on the Fore River, Maine. He conducted 125 pollution responses and investigations across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Joeckel was also selected by Coast Guard Headquarters to serve on a workgroup that overhauled Coast Guard pollution responder training. Finally, he volunteered 550 hours at a local food pantry, formed an advisory board, organized fundraisers which raised $10,000 and increased the food pantry's ability to serve 800 families.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeffrey Melitski, a maritime enforcement specialist assigned to the Enforcement Division at Sector New York, was selected at the First Coast Guard District's Reserve Enlisted Person of the Year.
Melitski was recognized for being among the first reservists to volunteer for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. During his deployment to the Coast Guard's Seventh District, he used his skills as an emergency medical technician to assist in the rescue of a late-term and high-risk pregnant patient. His quick action and experience led to the safe transfer of both the patient and unborn child when they were air-lifted from Borinquen, Puerto to Miami, Florida. In December 2017 and while off duty, Melitski courageously ran into his neighbor's home when he noticed it was on fire and immediately assisted with the safe evacuation of all the residents. During his off hours, Melitski can be found volunteering his time coaching youth football and baseball.
"It is always difficult choosing only two members from the large pool of talented and dedicated enlisted personnel here in the First District," said Master Chief Petty Officer Jason Griffin, First Coast Guard District command master chief. "However, Petty Officers Joeckel and Melitski epitomize the spirit of the award."
Each year, the Commandant selects only one active and one reserve Enlisted Person of the Year from all of the regional winners throughout the Coast Guard.