Ensign David Fernandes has been selected by the Southeast Connecticut Chapter of the Navy League as their Ashore Office of the Year.Fernandes was nearly overwhelmed by both the award and the attention.
"There were so many other deserving candidates, it was an honor to be considered," he said
A quick review of his career, however, would indicate Fernandes is a man in a hurry.
He was selected Sailor of the Quarter in 1991 while a member of USS Dallas (SSN 700).
After transferring to Submarine School, Fernandes was the only instructor to qualify on the entire six-month maintenance course for the AN/BSY-1 combat system and was, again, selected for Sailor of the Quarter honors in 1992 and also named a Master Training Specialist, a designation held by less than five percent of all Sailors.
After being advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer on USS Annapolis (SSN 760), he was commissioned an ensign under the limited duty officer program in February 2002, and transferred to Submarine School in March 2002.
Serving as the Sonar Training Division Officer for the Combat Skills Training Department, Fernandes was also cited by the Navy League for his engagement with junior Sailors.
"I always try to make time," he noted, "whether counseling them on how to be successful, on how to create and stick to a budget, or doing PT. I make time for Sailors, because they are what makes the Navy work."
In addition to his Submarine School responsibilities, Fernandes volunteers at Groton's Pleasant Valley Community Church soup kitchen, coaches local youth soccer and football programs, and was an organizer of the "Relay for Life" American Cancer Society fund-raiser at Fitch High School this year.