2014 NAVY TIMES
SAILOR
OF THE YEARCTRC Jeremy T. Crandall
USS Abraham Lincoln Newport News, VA
Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Jeremy Crandall is described by superiors and subordinates as a humble leader driven by a desire to see sailors develop and succeed.
Crandall’s career as a cryptologic technician is storied. He had fewer than two years in uniform when, on April 1, 2001, he was one of 24 crew members detained by China after a collision between their EP-3E ARIES II signals intelligence aircraft and a Chinese J-8II interceptor fighter forced an emergency landing. In the long 11 days that followed, he witnessed the "strong and selfless leadership" of a senior enlisted crew member who helped get the team through its harrowing ordeal. This example had a lasting impression on Crandall, who cites this as the defining model of his own career.
Crandall has spent much of the past 15 years encouraging and enabling at-risk sailors who face dire circumstances of their own. Most recently, the chief created BALLAST, a wide-ranging program centered on 342 hours of classroom instruction covering everything from financial management and drug/alcohol awareness to naval history and professional appearance. The program also features 18 hours of community service. Named after the ballast used to keep a ship upright and afloat, the program is nearing completion of its first year. Though it was originally designed to correct and direct at-risk sailors, the program has gained popularity among enlisted leaders and now has a waiting list of volunteers who look to grow personally and professionally.
“Chief Crandall is a strong example of what it means to be a Navy chief. He has the attention of his subordinates, the respect of his fellow chiefs, the support of the ship’s officers and the trust of his commander.”
Capt. Karl Thomas, Abraham Lincoln’s commanding officer
There is little need for a cryptologic technician while a nuclear-powered carrier goes through the three-year Refueling and Complex Overhaul. Instead of coasting through this tour, Crandall stepped up to take charge of the ship's security forces. In that role, he leads one of the ship’s largest divisions – 128 sailors representing 22 different ratings. The division has achieved a 70 percent advancement rate and 90 percent retention rate, and 36 sailors have earned individual warfare qualifications.
The chief’s selfless service does not end when he departs the carrier. The Civil War buff has more than four dozen volunteer hours as a historical guide in Lee Hall Mansion in Newport News, Virginia. Crandall also mentors dozens of youths at his local church, and does so while maintaining a 3.90 grade point average in pursuit of his bachelor’s degree in history from Southern New Hampshire University, where he was recently inducted into Alpha Sigma Lambda, a national honor society that recognizes high academic achievement.
Crandall's warfare qualifications include the Enlisted Information Dominance Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist and Naval Aircrewman designations, and his personal awards include the Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medals and the Navy Achievement Medal.
5 comments:
Ever wonder why the USN burned this outstanding sailor's time by sending him to a pointless and stupid waste of his time and talents?
He is a towering success but imagine if the USN used his talents in a meaningful way instead of spending them in the 3 year desert of an overhaul.
If you want to be a leader? Hunt down the detailer and the OIC of the detailer shop that wasted this man's obvious talents and skills in a place he did not ever belong because the last thing a carrier in overhaul needs is a cryppie. Why send any there?
As Lex was fond of saying, Time is the fire in which all men burn. Think of the waste of the talent here and consider. Are you doing enough to put good men to the tasks to which they trained and volunteered?
If not, why not?
What delusion of madness made them think this was the best use of this man's talents? Don't get me wrong, it was outstanding leadership but better done by a Gunner or Master at Arms. They have a job on the ship in overhaul.
Good points HMS. The Chief is an awesome guy -- got some solid mentorship from him ten years ago when he was a second class and I a seaman. Glad to read this article.
Good for him. I'm sure that he is one of the go to guys in the mess and it's obvious that he is a solutions oriented Sailor.
As far as the opinion of not needing CT's onboard during yard periods like RCOH I beg to differ. As someone who went through 4 yard periods in my short career, I will tell you that from an accreditation and security standpoint, having the CPO and or his DIVO onboard is critical. I and my boss were both able to head off some critical misteps that would have happened had there not been someone there.
As far as the white hats, I'd say that you need to keep the M brancher, others, not so much.
Back on task here - I would be a bit concerned as to what is happening with the spaces that he owns up in his division.
Thanks guys. Seriously.
I know I've been away too long when I lose sight of the most important thing. My apologies to all and most especially to the detailer and OIC that sent him to the desert.
I lose sight of the fact that family men need time at home with their families and to find their wives and sweethearts. A job assignment like this is actually how we keep, sustain and grow the sailors that make us the navy that is the best in the world.
Gak.! Reading my words in retrospect was like a poke in the eye from my many long years as a bachelor knight. So, for my earlier thoughtless remarks, my apologies.
CWO4 Ashpole,
It is rare the "M" brancher is given a compliment with regards to other CT rates, thank you Sir! As a former CTM for 14 years (now ITC with 21) and with a little time on the Kitty Hawk, I agree completely!
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