Sailor of the quarter S1 Nahom Beyene strengthens community ties

“Nothing in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) can be achieved on your own,” said Sailor First Class (S1) Nahom Beyene, a Weapons Engineering Technician (WENGTECH) after accepting the Maritime Forces Pacific’s sailor of the quarter award.

“I am completely surprised and humbled to receive this award,” said S1 Beyene, while thanking his team and says the recipe for his success in the RCN is strong people skills and openness to teamwork.

“You need to have people skills to connect with others and collaborate,” he explained. “I’m most grateful and appreciative to my department because I couldn’t have achieved this award without their consistent support.”

S1 Beyene is being recognized for his work as acting section head and as a Fire Control Technician while preparing His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Regina for reactivation. This level of responsibility is more typical of someone at the rank of Petty Officer Second Class, according to his supervisor.

An internal memo acknowledged S1 Beyene’s “qualities of a leader” and commended him for “displaying values that subordinates look up to.”

Chief Petty Officer Second Class (CPO2) Trevor Moore, WENGTECH Chief Petty Officer, agrees and says Beyene rightfully earned the award for his leadership and professional development.

“S1 Beyene sets the example with his dress and deportment, always keeps his boots blackened and promotes fitness within the department,” CPO2 Moore said.

He added that S1 Beyene recently completed the Unit Harassment Advisor and Assisting Military Member Grievance courses, and has submitted pre-instructional package for the Naval Boarding Party Course.

But the need to recognize Nahom goes further according to CPO2 Moore.

“He helped strengthen our ties with our community, leading to an improved relationship with the RCN and Greater Victoria [area],” CPO2 Moore said.

With guidance and assistance from Master Sailor Russell Blackburn, S1 Beyene helped raise money for the Victoria General Hospital Children’s Life Department during the 2022 Dave Barber Memorial golf tournament. He and his fellow crew from Regina were able to donate $3,600 worth of presents and gift cards at the pediatric ward before the winter holidays.

S1 Beyene credits his success organizing the tournament to the collaborative attitude and group mentality that gets each job done.

“I don’t really think I could have completed any of these tasks without other people pitching in and going that extra mile to assist me.”

For winning the award, S1 Beyene was presented with a certificate, a Sailor of the Quarter coin, and a parking spot at MARPAC HQ, which he hopes to donate since he bikes to work year-round.