Commander, Naval Safety Center (NAVSAFECEN) announced the selection of Senior Chief Torpedoman’s Mate Marshall Wade and Lt. Jeffrey Clayton as the 2020 Enlisted and Officer Safety Professionals of the Year.

The Safety Professionals of the Year programs recognize service members stationed at NAVSAFECEN who best represent an ever-growing group of dedicated professionals who serve as role models of professionalism and personal dedication. These award winners embody the core values of their services.

Rear Adm. F.R. Luchtman, Commander Naval Safety Center, congratulated the award recipients for their outstanding accomplishments and awarded each recipient the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

“This award recognizes excellence and outstanding dedication, innovation, and intellect in safety,” said Luchtman. “While there was keen competition, Lt. Clayton and Senior Chief Wade demonstrated professionalism, devotion to duty, and technical expertise.”

Wade, a Hillsville, Va. native, has been in the Navy for 14 years and has served as a submarine support systems and tactical weapons manager for 18 months. Upon learning that he had received the award, the senior chief said he was surprised and thankful.

“I was surprised because I work with so many exceptional and motivated safety professionals. Any one of them could have been selected for recognition,” said Wade. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to be in a position to impact fleet safety.”

Wade expertly provided valuable Lessons Learned for fleet-wide, industrial environment implementation while demonstrating exceptional enthusiasm to establish NAVSAFECEN as a data analytic center of excellence collecting data for the afloat model beta test.

Wade said the equipment used throughout the Navy requires preventative maintenance, repair, and oversight to perform as needed for the country’s national defense. He believes the Navy’s greatest asset is its people and finds his day-to-day motivation in ensuring the safety needs of every Sailor, Marine and civilian who serves.

“The people within the Navy are the operators and caretakers of the equipment and military assets. Without taking care of our personnel, we are only partially addressing the equation for mission readiness and national security,” he said. “I care deeply about the safety and success of all personnel within the armed forces and our continued success on all fronts.”

Clayton is a Latrobe, Pa. native and has been in the Navy for 25 years. He has served the last two years as an electronics material officer lead, a fall protection subject matter expert and is currently a member of the Risk Management Information Streamlined Incident Reporting (RMI-SIR) Development Team. Clayton said he felt very blessed, humbled and appreciative when notified of his selection.

 “What motivates me is the daily impact that we make here at the Naval Safety Center, helping our Navy and Marine Corps accomplish its inherently dangerous mission while maximizing safety practices in its day-to-day operations,” said Clayton. “We protect the most valuable assets to our Navy, its Sailors and Marines.”

Clayton, the lead trainer for RMI, was instrumental in the development of training for 1,240 personnel. Additionally, he worked with Naval Air Forces Pacific safety offices and the United States Coast Guard Office of Cutter Forces to develop joint fall protection guidance.

Clayton, a mustang (prior-enlisted Sailor) officer, believes the award means his time at NAVSAFECEN has made a positive and lasting impact for future generations of Sailors and Marines. He said representing the mustang community in the pursuit of excellence is a great honor for him.

Professionals such as Wade and Clayton help ensure NAVSAFECEN accomplishes its mission and role as the Navy and Marine Corps’ safety advocate.

“Our mission statement says it all -- to preserve warfighting capability and combat lethality by identifying hazards and reducing risk to people and resources,” said Wade. “We remain dedicated to protecting the people and resources needed to protect the U.S. and its people.”

For additional resources on safety awareness, visit the Naval Safety Center’s website, https://navalsafetycenter.navy.mil.