leadership awards

 


American aircraft carriers are frequently described as “floating cities” carrying crews of over 5,000 men and women working together under challenging circumstances to keep America strong.  Despite awe inspiring technical capabilities that make aircraft carriers extremely valuable assets in America’s national defense, it is the leadership demonstrated by the men and women who serve on board that is most impressive to visitors.  To recognize and honor some of the men and women who demonstrate outstanding public service leadership on American aircraft carriers, the Stennis Center created a special leadership awards program for three ships: USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74), USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), and the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70). 

The leadership awards programs on the three aircraft carriers recognize distinguished officers and senior-enlisted personnel who have demonstrated exceptional leadership on board their respective aircraft carriers.  The winners are selected through a ship-wide competition. 

As part of the Stennis Center’s continuing effort to strengthen understanding and relationships between civilian leaders and the military, the award winners travels to Washington, D.C. where they meet with Members of Congress and congressional staff and other civilian leaders.  As the leadership award winners are honored and learn about how policy is made in Washington, the civilian leaders have an opportunity to learn about the life, values, culture and institutions of the military through visits with the leadership award winners and their spouses.  Including spouses in discussions with leaders in Washington helps further understanding of contributions made by the family members of those who serve in the American military.

The Stennis Center expanded the highly successful program to include the USS NIMITZ aircraft carrier in 2006.

The leadership awards program on each of the carriers is recognized as an opportunity to honor individuals who are representative of the leadership throughout the ships that is necessary to successfully perform the complex missions of aircraft carriers.  The Stennis Center takes pride in being able to present the awards on behalf of American civilians as an expression of gratitude for the essential service provided by the men and women in military uniform.