WASHINGTON, DC (February 1, 2022) – The Sea Services Leadership Association (SSLA) has unveiled its 2022 awards program. The annual awards program recognizes exceptional women and men within the uniformed service community who embody the spirit, mission, and vision of SSLA.

“SSLA is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to the mentorship and professional development of women in the sea services. We build and expand the connections and networks for women in the sea services, to advance their professional development,” said SSLA President, Navy Capt. Emily Bassett. “We’re stronger when we help one another, and our 2022 awards program recognizes the exceptional men and women in the Department of Defense who support that effort and who truly epitomize SSLA’s mission to Mentor, Inspire, and Lead.”

SSLA’s 2022 awards include:

The Rising Star Award recognizes five graduating female midshipman candidates enrolled in a military reserve officer training corps (ROTC) or officer-in-training (OIT) program (Navy, USMC or Coast Guard) who have demonstrated exceptional performance in academics, leadership and community service over the course of their ROTC/OIT program.

The Emerging Leader Award will be presented to one female active duty or reserve junior enlisted member (E3 to E6), one active duty or reserve junior officer (O1 to O4), and/or one government civilian employee (GS-5 to GS-12 or their equivalent), male or female, to recognize exceptional leadership in furthering the mission and vision of SSLA within the uniformed services.

The Compass Award will be presented to an active duty or reserve enlisted member, in the pay grades of E7 or above, male or female, who has demonstrated continued exceptional leadership in furthering the mission and vision of SSLA within the uniformed services.

The North Star Award will be presented to an active duty or reserve officer in the pay grades of O-5 and higher or a government civilian employee in paygrades GS-13 (or equivalent) to Senior Executive Service (SES), male or female, who has demonstrated continued exceptional leadership in furthering the mission and vision of SSLA within the uniformed services.

Nominations for the Rising Star Award are due by March 15, 2022. SSLA will inform commanding officers or officers-in-charge/chain of command of award winners no later than April 15, 2022, and awardees will be announced via the SSLA webpage and social media outlets.

Nominations for the Emerging Leader, Compass and North Star Award are due by April 15, 2022. SSLA will inform COs or OICs/chain of command of award winners no later than May 15, 2022, and SSLA will announce awardees via the SSLA webpage and social media outlets. SSLA will also recognize these award winners at the annual Sea Services Leadership Association’s Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium, July 10-13, 2022, hosted in Norfolk, VA.

Specific information and eligibility criteria for each award and the process for nominees to submit packages is available at https://sealeader.org/ssla-awards.

For more information, contact the SSLA Awards Coordinator ITCS Sydny Moat at sslaawards@gmail.com.