Capt. Alan Schrader, Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) commanding officer, is presented the 2017 Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence along with NBK personnel, from James MacStravic, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, and Michael McAndrew, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Facilities Investment and Management, during a video teleconference. The Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of the people who operate and maintain U.S. military installations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Vaughan Dill/Released)
BANGOR, Wash., July 5, 2017/Naval Base Kitsap/- NBK leadership recently participated in a video teleconference with other winners of the 2017 Commander-in-Chief’s Installation Excellence Award.
The Commander-in-Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of the people who operate and maintain Department of Defense (DOD) installations. The award is presented to the top military bases in each of the services and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).
NBK was recognized as the top Navy base in the world along with: U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany; Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.; 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La.; and Defense Supply Center Columbus, Ohio, leading their respective service branches.
Each winning installation received a commemorative Commander-in-Chief’s Award trophy and flag and will also receive a congratulatory letter from the president.
James MacStravic, performing the duties of Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics, Pentagon, presided over the recognition speaking to and asking questions of each award recipients’ designated leader.
“It’s clear that your dedication and commitment to excellence in providing service and support runs deeply across your installations,” he said.
Two areas MacStravic specifically pointed out at NBK were the award-winning galley as well as Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) activities. Capt. Alan Schrader, NBK commanding officer, noted that taking care of service members and their families was critical stating, “We believe wholeheartedly in the strength of the family. It’s really important that we take care of those families who are left behind.”
Schrader brought up popular events such as fishing derbies, fun runs, free concerts and competitive events like the Captain’s Cup, an intramural sports competition held between NBK’s tenant commands.
“My own command came in 13th and I’m a little upset about with that,” Schrader joked. He added, “Through those things that build camaraderie, you build morale.”
Schrader also addressed the uniqueness of living in Western Washington.
“There isn’t a shortage of things to do here. You can go out and hike Mount Rainier one weekend then you can go rent a boat and go crabbing in the beautiful Puget Sound,” he said. “When you live in the Pacific Northwest, it isn’t hard to get people energized about where they live.”
MacStravich was also impressed with NBK’s Zone Inspections which involve safety experts, fire department officials and representatives from public works. Buildings are regularly inspected which gives NBK the opportunity to learn of and address deficiencies, make recommendations to tenant commands on steps they can do to improve their work environment and also learn more about the vital missions of its tenant commands.
Schrader pointed out that feedback from tenants and residents was critical to meeting their needs.
“We always strive to get better. We listen to our commands. We get inspected by 35,000 people every day,” he said.
According to Schrader, the biggest accomplishment, though, is enabling tenants to meet their essential missions of serving our nation.
“We take a lot of pride in sending our ships to sea,” he said.
MacStravich noted the motto highlighted on NBK’s website “Service by Action”.
“The Kitsap team truly lives by that motto and the base is well on its way to achieving your vision by providing the highest quality facilities, service and product to the Naval community and all of the organizations that call Kitsap home,” he said. “Job well done!”
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