Rear Adm. Suzanne M. Bailey, deputy commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet (C3F), announced the 2025 C3F and Shore Sailors of the Year (SOY) during a ceremony held at 3rd Fleet headquarters in San Diego, April 16.

C3F selected Hospital Corpsman 1^st Class Micheal Hunter, from Sherman, Texas, assigned to Carrier Strike Group 1, as the Sea Sailor of the Year, and Information Systems Technician 1^st Class Khristian Ebreo, from San Diego, assigned to C3F, as the Shore Sailor of the Year.

“To those standing before us: you represent what right looks like in our Navy,” said Rear Adm. Bailey. “Not for a moment, but over time. Not in isolation, but in the company of your teams. Your selection as finalists reflects more than performance, it reflects trust. Trust earned through consistency, through judgment, and through your commitment to something larger than yourselves.”

During the annual C3F SOY week, nominees had the opportunity to tour and experience different local attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, a military and auto museum, as well as a Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Wing flight experience, leading to an overall successful week.

"This week was more than a celebration, it was a clear demonstration of our greatest strength; our Sailors and the level of leaders, resilience, and integrity they embody,” said Command Master Chief Christina Crawford, C3F Reserve Force. "I am immensely proud of the professionalism, talent, and dedication displayed by this year’s candidates. They represent the very best of our force. Their performance is a direct reflection of the exceptional leaders who have developed them- this level of excellence does not happen without that commitment. Seeing their hard work recognized at this level is both well-deserved and deeply rewarding.”

During the ceremony, both the Sea and Shore SOYs attributed their success to the support of their leadership, mentors and junior Sailors.

I’m very grateful and I’m very blessed,” said Ebreo. “I just want to say thank you to my wife and family for supporting me through this experience.”

“It’s an honor and privilege to represent my command at this level,” said Hunter. “I wouldn’t be able to perform at this level without my leaders, mentors, junior Sailors, friends and family that have supported me through this whole journey.”

Both the Sea and Shore SOY winners will move on to compete for U.S. Pacific Fleet SOY at Joint Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii later this year.

The additional sea and shore finalists included Information Systems Technician 1^st Class Lyle Nelson, from New York, assigned to Carrier Strike Group 3,Operations Specialist 1^st Class Aviante Evans, from Douglas, Ga., assigned to Carrier Strike Group 9, Legalman 1^st Class Torii Alaniz, from Pontiac, Mich., assigned to Carrier Strike Group 11, Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 1^st Class Taryne Clayton, from Broken Arrow, Okla., assigned to Carrier Strike Group 15, Operations Specialist 1^st Class Lisette Panduro, from Lynwood, Calif., assigned to Tactical Training Group Pacific, and Legalman 1^st Class Jordan Vankeuren, from Long Beach, Calif., assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group 3.

Bailey presented Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals during the ceremony to each of the sea and shore runners up.

The U.S. Navy Sailor of the Year program was established in 1972 by Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Elmo Zumwalt, to recognize the best performing enlisted Sailors.
An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s role across the full spectrum of military operations. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region.