by Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

photo by MC1 Leonard Adams

Yokosuka, JAPAN - Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin C. Tipton, Jr., a Houston, Texas, native with hometown ties to Killeen, Texas, was spotlighted as Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Inaugural Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year.

"Receiving this recognition has been my crowning achievement serving at 7th Fleet," said Tipton.

Tipton, currently serving six years, is a cryptologic technician (technical) responsible for performing a wide range of tasks in support of the national intelligence-gathering effort, with an emphasis on cryptology and signal intelligence related products.

"What I am a part of here, directly contributes to our commander's situational awareness in this area of operation," he said.

Tipton is on his way next week to Pearl Harbor to compete for the U.S. Pacific Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year. The 7th Fleet team looks forward to all the great things Petty Officer Tipton will accomplish in the future.

Tipton gives advice to those who may inspired to one day become Bluejacket, Junior Sailor of the Year, or even Sailor of the Year.

"Understand that regardless of your job, you must not question your importance and value to this command," he said. "Be inspired by their history and spirit of those who have served here and turn that into your motivation to challenge yourself, exceed your limitations and leave the trail for those who will come behind you."

Seventh Fleet is a numbered fleet of the United States Navy. It is headquartered at U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka, in Yokosuka, Japan and is a part of the United States Pacific Fleet. At present, it is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets, with 60 to 70 ships, 300 aircraft and 40,000 Navy and Marine Corps personnel. Its principal responsibilities are to provide joint command in natural disaster or military operations and operational command of all naval forces in the region.

As the 7th Fleet looks back on 75 years operating in the Indo-Pacific Region, the people shared here represent the generations of seagoing service members operating forward. “I am 7th Fleet” represents the hard work and dedication serving in the Navy.

Tipton said his biggest challenge at 7th Fleet was seeking mentorship, being honest with himself, and realizing that the real challenge was getting out of his own way.

"I didn't want to be complacent and I wanted to better myself and my sailors, the rest fell in place," he added.

Tipton gives guidance to those coming to 7th Fleet.

"Understand that regardless of your job, you must not question your importance and value to this command," he said. "Be inspired by their history and spirit of those who have served here and turn that into your motivation to challenge yourself, exceed your limitations and leave the trail for those who will come behind you."

• • posted by Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs