Navy names surface warfare officers of the year

The Navy offered two recipients with an esteemed award that acknowledges one of the best floor warfare officer from every coast, in response to a Navy launch.

Lt. Cmdr. Carolyn Bystrom acquired the dignity for her service with Naval Floor Power, U.S. Pacific Fleet, whereas Lt. Cmdr. Brian Van Metre earned the Atlantic Fleet’s Floor Warfare Officer of the Yr award.

“This prestigious distinction honors those that embody the core values and ethos of the SWO neighborhood — demonstrating distinctive management, professionalism, and warfighting proficiency,” the discharge mentioned.

Bystrom was awarded for her time aboard the united statesSpruance because the vessel’s plans and techniques officer. She credited her success on the vessel to advocating for herself and for different sailors.

She additionally mentioned she at all times prioritizes sustaining a excessive diploma of experience and proficiency, as different service members look to her to guide.

Cmdr. Leigh Tatum, Spruance’s commanding officer, mentioned she had a knack for evaluating herself to get higher as effectively.

“She actually does embody ‘Get Actual, Get Higher,’” Tatum mentioned. “Now we have a mantra on our ship. We name it ruthless self-assessment.”

Get Actual, Get Higher is a Navy initiative meant to strengthen service-wide tradition by emboldening management and problem-solving, in response to the Navy web site.

Bystrom has served aboard the united statesJohn S. McCain and USS Shiloh and as a naval gunfire teacher and vary security officer at San Clemente Island for Expeditionary Warfare Coaching Group, Pacific.

She additionally reported to Destroyer Squadron 21 in San Diego.

Bystrom was aboard the Spruance when it deployed to the U.S. seventh Fleet and U.S. fifth Fleet space of duty alongside the united statesAbraham Lincoln.

She was additionally aboard the Spruance when it transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait with the united statesStockade and USS Indianapolis and got here beneath fireplace from Houthi-backed drones and missiles.

Bystrom and her shipmates destroyed the risk after an over 30-hour battle.

After receiving the award, Bystrom mentioned it was emblematic not simply of her efforts however of everybody round her too.

“You handle your sailors, they’ll handle you,” Bystrom mentioned. “I’m glad to symbolize this ship and obtain this award, but it surely’s undoubtedly not simply me.”

Throughout the coast, Van Metre acquired his award for his service as fight techniques officer for the united statesMason.

He attributed his success aboard the vessel to the management that sculpted him by setting excessive requirements and prioritizing communication amongst management and repair members.

“Any time that I had a query on how a system was purported to function or what’s wanted to succeed, irrespective of the time of day or night time, I used to be fortunate sufficient to have a number of the greatest junior officers, mustangs, chiefs and junior sailors within the Navy to ask,” Van Metre mentioned. “Their capability to downside clear up and innovate was instrumental to Mason’s success throughout fight operations.”

Van Metre, as a senior watch officer, has paid that method ahead, mentoring junior officers on easy methods to stay calm amid turmoil.

The Mason deployed with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Provider Strike Group to the Pink Sea and Gulf of Aden after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Throughout the deployment, Van Metre and the vessel’s sailors destroyed drones and anti-ship ballistic missiles directed on the Mason and different U.S. warships.

Capt. Chavius Lewis, commanding officer of the Mason, sang Van Metre’s praises.

“Brian is the long run commanding officer we wish main our ships within the high-end struggle and nice energy competitors,” mentioned Capt. Lewis. “An excellent tactician who ensured Mason delivered when it mattered most.”