Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes has selected Naval Military Training Instructor (NMTI), GM1(SW) Christopher D. Ragland Instructor of the Quarter, 4th Qtr. 2011 in an announcement made on Feb. 10.
A 12-year Navy veteran and top performer whose accomplishments are consistently recognized, Ragland is currently assigned as the Leading Petty Officer (LPO) aboard the USS Mustin (BEQ 835).
"I enjoy being able to mold the future of the Navy on a daily basis," Ragland said. "I know that what I send to the fleet here will one day be my relief, so I do my very best to ensure they leave Great Lakes as prepared as I can make them."
Ragland, a native of Fairbanks, Alaska, joined the Navy in May 1999; attending Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes. He first received orders to USS Valley Forge (CG-50) home-ported in
San Diego, Calif., where he struck for the Torpedoman (TM) rate while completing a number of western and southern deployments.
After completing MK46/50/54 Torpedo Maintenance Technical School in Key Port, Wash., then TM3 Ragland departed for his next assignments at Naval Air Station North Island Weapons Department. While on shore duty there, Ragland performed with the base honor guard detail and re-wrote the standard operating procedures for handling weapons and ordinance.
"My experiences in the Navy have helped to mold me into the leader I am today, said Ragland. "I take from my memories of deployments onboard the ships I was assigned and apply them to the different situations I am confronted with by my students."
Heading back to sea, Ragland received orders to USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) completing a Western Pacific deployment and converting to Gunner's Mate (GM). Newly frocked GM1 Ragland got new orders and headed once again for the Quarterdeck of the Navy — Naval Station Great Lakes.
Reporting to TSC in October 2009, he earned his NMTI qualification within 30 days of his arrival. Serving aboard the Mustin, Ragland's duties as LPO are to provide the sailorization and mentorship needed by the junior sailors who attend training at Great Lakes.
"The training received from NMTIs is important for our sailors and their future in the Navy" said Ragland. "While the schoolhouses provide their technical training, we as NMTIs give them professional training, career guidance, mentorship and leadership. We are the role models that provide guidance in all aspects of their naval career."
But he's not only a role model for the students. Ragland is an example for his fellow instructors to whom his advice for future NMTIs is simple, "There is no 'one-size-fits-all' solution to the many different situations you will deal with here at TSC. Every situation is different, and you need to take it one at a time."
"A chief enjoys having a first class petty officer that they can depend upon to get the job done and keep them abreast of what is going on," said CSC(SW/SCW) Joyce D. Fountain, Mustin's leading chief petty officer,
Ragland's commitment to excellence was instrumental in leading the Mustin to five months as TSC's Ship of the Month and his exceptional initiative as Prevent Program liaison for TSC ensured 2,145 sailors were properly trained in drug and alcohol abuse prevention and education.
Ragland's managerial skills proved invaluable with 27 sailors being selected as honor grads from their prospective schools. In addition, all Mustin sailors passed their biannual physical fitness assessment.
Ragland's efforts and dedication to his duties have defined leadership for the NMTI. As the TSC's Command Master Chief CMDCM(SW/AW) R. Kent Tompkins commented, "GM1 Ragland's selection as the TSC Instructor of the Quarter says a lot about him and the quality of the instructors we have here. All of our instructors make a difference every day in the jobs they perform. Whether it's on the podium or in the barracks, the NMTI ensures our junior sailors are on the correct path towards their careers."
Volunteering at various food banks around the community, Ragland supports the local community in many projects including tirelessly donating his time and energy to support the Life Source Blood Drive Program. Last year his efforts alone resulted in the collection of more than 8,000 pints of blood to assist over 24,000 patients, exceeding the program's goals.
In parting, Ragland added words of advice to the current and future students at TSC: "Listen to your NMTIs and always be up front and honest with them," he said. "If you do that, we will never steer you wrong."
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