(NORFOLK, Va.) – Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Natali Enriquez, a Tavares, Florida, native, was selected as the Junior Sailor of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2016 by Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA) in Norfolk, Virginia.
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Natali Enriquez ((Official U.S. Navy photo)[/caption]
The Junior Sailor of the Quarter award is part of a program established in the interest of recognizing superior performance of enlisted personnel with emphasis on outstanding achievements, exemplary personal conduct and military bearing, and demonstrated initiative in the performance of duty. In addition to recognizing outstanding performance, the program motivates personnel to strive for improvement in their assigned duties, military behavior, appearance, and leadership.
“This award means so much to me because I’m temporarily assigned here to Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (NRMA). For them to acknowledge my hard work makes me feel grateful and pushes me to keep doing my job better,” said Enriquez, who is currently serving as a member of the NRMA Funeral Honors team. “I couldn’t have accomplished this without the help of my shipmates, leadership, and my family because whenever it gets a little tough, they are my motivation to not let them down, especially my daughter. I want to set an example for her to always finish what she started.”
As an assistant team leader, Enriquez trained and supervised 10 junior and senior Sailors in proper funeral and honor procedures increasing their professional knowledge and level of honor for America’s fallen heroes. Her dedication and work ethic led her chain of command to assign her to the funeral watch team, where she is responsible for processing and assigning funeral honors for 20 states, working with area funeral homes and military units, ensuring America’s fallen heroes are laid to rest with proper honors.
“Congratulations to Petty Officer Enriquez for her selection as Junior Sailor of the Quarter,” CNRMA Rear Adm. Jack Scorby said. “Enriquez continues to represent the many highly dedicated professionals who ensure the success of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic.”
Enriquez is a 2006 graduate of Tavares High School and has been serving in the Navy for eight years. Her mother and father, Irma and Jorge Villafranca, reside in Tavares.
