News From USJFCOM: USJFCOM names protocol officer Joint Junior Officer of the Year


Share \|

USJFCOM names protocol officer Joint Junior Officer of the Year

USJFCOM honors Navy Lt. Stephanie T. George with Joint Junior Officer of the Year for 2008.

By Susy Dodson
USJFCOM Public Affairs

(NORFOLK, Va. - April 8, 2009) -- U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) recognized Navy Lt. Stephanie T. George with the 2008 Joint Junior Officer of the Year award.

Gayle Lemieux, USJFCOM's protocol chief, said George works as the protocol division officer and the lead project officer on distinguished visit programs.

"She works with all the division officers and subject matter experts throughout the command on putting the programs together," Lemieux said. "Everything from the moment the visit starts in planning to wheels up when they're gone, everything in the middle is Protocol's job and she does it remarkably well."

According to Lemieux, George was instrumental in planning and executing over 30 events in a nine-month period. She directed all logistics for one of the command's most challenging events, the component commanders meeting, a periodic meeting of USJFCOM component commanders to get the commander's guidance on emerging missions as they relate to joint forces as well as synching service capabilities to USJFCOM priorities.

"She's flawless in the way she does her job. She's in a job that she doesn't have the luxury of making mistakes because everybody's watching," Lemieux said. "In the short amount of time she's been here, the confidence level that I have in her is that as a young, new to the team protocol officer, she works things like that and because you know she has it, it's going to get done."

She also manages transportation requirements and coordinates visits from dignitaries such as the chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Republic of Korea and the chief of corporate staff, South African Defence Force.

"Her work ethic is as good as I've ever seen from anyone. Nothing is too difficult for her, everything is 'This is going to be fun. This is a real challenge, this will be great,'" Lemieux said. "She's not afraid of any challenge, she's not afraid to jump in and do whatever."

Navy Chief Petty Officer Corey A. Sheeley, USJFCOM's protocol senior enlisted, agrees.

"We deal with a lot of people who are passing through JFCOM… She puts a lot of care to make sure that their experience when they come to Joint Forces Command is enjoyable," Sheeley said.

Growing up in Homedale, Idaho, George knew that she wanted something different for herself.

"My dad was in the Navy for six years as a nuclear electricians mate and my older brother is in the Navy as well. He went to the Naval Academy and I wanted to be different from all of my other high school buddies; they were all going to school in Idaho, staying in the same town," George said. "I wanted to get out to see the world."

Her talents extend into her community as well. She serves meals in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church soup kitchen and teaches catechism to the middle school students at Sacred Heart.

She is also currently enrolled in the U.S. Naval War College non-resident Fleet Seminar program.

George said her parents and her four siblings, who are all in various stages of their Navy career, support her completely.

George said. "My parents I don't think could be any prouder of us all."