Petty Officer 1st Class Victor Ubri Jr. (left), a Navy officer recruiter assigned to Navy Recruiting District San Antonio, stands with Commanding Officer Cmdr. Jeffrey Reynolds after being awarded NRD’s Active Officer Recruiter of the Year for Fiscal Year 2017 during the NRD’s annual award banquet held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Austin Dec. 19, 2017. Ubri became a recruiter to show people why America’s Navy is the good choice for military service. “This award means that I did my job to the best of my ability and was recognized for my efforts,” said Ubri. “I want to make sure the Navy’s future and our future Sailors are in capable hands.” Additionally, Ubri was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his superior performance of duty.

Lt. Cmdr. Michael Stroud (left), a Navy Nurse Corps recruiter assigned to Navy Recruiting District San Antonio at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, stands with Commanding Officer Cmdr. Jeffrey Reynolds after being awarded NRD’s Medical Officer Recruiter and Division Officer of the Year for Fiscal Year 2017 during the NRD’s annual award banquet held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Austin Dec. 19, 2017. Stroud, a psychiatric nurse, who graduated from Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in 2007, joined the Navy in 2009 to work in the mental health field. Stroud takes his job very seriously and reminds his enlisted recruiters that they change lives on a daily basis. “It is a great honor to be recognized,” said Stroud. “But the Division Officer of the Year means the most because it’s about me taking care of my Sailors and their families.” Additionally, Stroud was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his superior performance of duty.

Petty Officer 1st Class Raymond Gonzalez (left), a Navy recruiter assigned to Navy Recruiting Station McAllen, Navy Recruiting District San Antonio, stands with Commanding Officer Cmdr. Jeffrey Reynolds after being awarded NRD’s Enlisted Recruiter, Enlisted Female Upper Mental Group Recruiter, and Diversity Recruiter of the Year for Fiscal Year 2017 during the NRD’s annual award banquet held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Austin Dec. 19, 2017. “I chose to steer my career in the direction of recruiting to make a difference in the recruiting community,” said Gonzalez, who will be graduating from Post University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. “My goal in recruiting is strictly to be an honest and unaggressive outlet of information for young adults to confidently explore their career options.” Additionally, Gonzalez was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his superior performance of duty.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Dennis Mitchell (left), a Navy recruiter assigned to Navy Recruiting Station Round Rock, Navy Recruiting District San Antonio, stands with Commanding Officer Cmdr. Jeffrey Reynolds after being awarded NRD’s Junior Sailor of the Year for Fiscal Year 2017 during the NRD’s annual award banquet held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Austin Dec. 19, 2017. Mitchell became a recruiter to build a better Navy and help young adults who don’t know what to do with their lives. “This award means that I have taken my job as a Sailor seriously and proudly,” Mitchell said. “It’s an honor to come home to my children and tell them that I am the Junior Sailor of the Year. It motivates them to do great in life.” Mitchell was also awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his superior performance of duty.

Retired Petty Officer 1st Class Jamie Emerson (left), an Officer Processing Office assistant assigned to Navy Recruiting District San Antonio, stands with Commanding Officer Cmdr. Jeffrey Reynolds after being awarded NRD’s Civilian of the Year for Fiscal Year 2017 during the NRD’s annual award banquet held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Austin Dec. 19, 2017. Prior to retiring in 2013, Emerson served as a classifier with the NRD. “I have pride knowing that I helped young people get a great start in life,” Emerson said. “I’m also happy to know that what I do for the command is appreciated.”