Skip was nominated by Jessica Skarin:
Skip has been in the Navy for over 24 years, during which time he’s been stationed in Philadelphia, San Diego, Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, and Norfolk (some more than once). He’s spent countless time away from his legal family serving his country and taking care of his Navy family. If you’ve ever had the honor of working with him, you know that, as a colleague, you truly are family too.
As an Aviation Ordnance Senior Chief Petty Officer (IYAOYAS!) with over 11 years of sea time, Skip is a shining example of servant-leadership and professionalism to everyone around him. Young Skip just wanted to stay in long enough to retire and (Hopefully) “just make Chief”, so “Old Skip” is proof that with hard work, dedication, and a healthy amount of salt, you can achieve just about anything you set out to do, or more.
Skip’s faithfulness to his family and the Navy have seen him through many long deployments and times where it would have been easier to quit. He’ll deny it if you tell him to his face, but he truly is a hero to those who know him.