September 26, 2016 -- Promoting through the ranks is always a notable accomplishment for active-duty service members, but a meritorious promotion is considered “a cut above” by many Marines and Sailors aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany.
In a ceremony held at Naval Branch Health Clinic-Albany, recently, Navy officials chronicled, in the clinic’s history book, the “first” meritorious promotion of one Sailor, Petty Officer 3rd Class Hailey McAdams.
Navy Capt. David Collins, commanding officer, Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Florida traveled to the clinic and joined NBHC-Albany’s officer-in-charge, Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth Shaw, in officiating the historical event.
Shaw commented on McAdams’ promotion through the Navy’s Meritorious Advancement Program.
“(The promotion was) the ‘first’ meritorious advancement to HM3 for now-Petty Officer (3rd Class) McAdams and (for) NBHC-Albany,” Shaw said. “What a great way to start the Navy's MAP, by recognizing one of our very own Albany Sailors.
The MAP authorizes commanding officers to advance eligible personnel in paygrades E3, E4, and E5 to the next higher paygrade, according to the website: http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/talentmanagement/Pages/MAP.aspx.
The program is intended to give commands the opportunity to recognize their best Sailors, advancing them when they are ready for the next level of responsibility. This is about giving greater authority to commands to better shape their workforce and the Navy by developing and rewarding our best talent, the website further indicated.
McAdams, laboratory assistant, NBHC-Albany, discussed her feelings about her recent MAP achievement.
“I was meritoriously promoted,” she said, while smiling. “That was a pretty big deal. I was not expecting it and I actually teared up a little bit.
“It was amazing having the (commanding officer) come down from Jacksonville,” McAdams added. “It was a great experience.”
Petty Officer 3rd Class Wesley Balentine, preventive medicine technician, NBHC-Albany, weighed in on the impact the historical promotion has had on the clinic and described characteristics of the newly pinned honoree.
“That was the first ever meritorious promotion for the (Albany) clinic,” Balentine reemphasized. “HM3 McAdams has been stationed at NBHC-Albany for one year and five months and I have been working with her since she arrived.
“I believe that HM3 McAdams fully deserved her meritorious promotion to E-4,” he said. “She is always on top of things and staying positive. Her attitude makes working with her enjoyable.
“Military bearing may be slacking in some people but you won't find that problem with her,” Balentine pointed out. “She is always respectful and polite, (and is) loved by everybody. (She’s) one of the best sailors I know.”
The increase in MAP quotas and expansion of the program to other eligible stakeholders mentioned above will further empower COs to recognize sustained superior performance through immediate advancement, the website reported.
Naval Branch Health Clinic-Albany is one of six Naval Hospital Jacksonville healthcare facilities.