Oklahoma Navy Corpsman Named Shore Sailor Of The Year Finalist

A U.S. Navy Corpsman from Oklahoma was honored last week as the Surface Force Pacific Fleet (SURFPAC) Shore Sailor Of The Year.

First Class Petty Officer Jeremiah McArthur hails from Little Tulsa, Oklahoma and entered the Navy October 31, 1996.

His duty assignments include Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, Field Medical Service School and Special Operation Training Group all at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

"I am really excited to represent SURFPAC and I am very honored," said McArthur.

"This award has a lot to do with the people who are around me. All the chiefs of my past mentored me and really developed me into who I am today. All the things that I do wouldn't be possible without the support of my wife. You have to have that other half to keep you strong."

McArthur and six other finalists took part in board interviews, command events and a series of community outreach activities last week in San Diego.

McArthur will now compete in Hawaii against Pacific Fleet nominees vying for the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Shore Sailor of the Year. If selected, McArthur will be eligible for meritorious promotion to chief petty officer and move on to competition in Washington, D.C., for possible designation as the 2013 Chief of Naval Operations Shore Sailor of the Year.

2nd Class Karolina Oseguera, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West