Washington, D.C – The Sea Services Leadership Association (SSLA) has unveiled its 2023 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 Mentor, Inspire and Lead women in the sea services,” said SSLA President Capt. Emily Bassett. “Our 2023 awards program recognizes those exceptional men and women in the Department of Defense who have exemplified our vision to empower a network of strong and inspirational women who serve.”

SSLA’s 2023 awards include:

The Rising Star Award recognizes five graduating female Midshipman and/or Officer-In-Training candidates (USN/USCG/USMC) who are top performers and have demonstrated superior leadership through academic accomplishments, leadership, athletics/extracurricular activities and community involvement.

The Emerging Leader Award was established to recognize an Active Duty or Reserve enlisted member, male or female, in the pay grades of E3 through E6 and an Active Duty or Reserve Officer in paygrades CWO2 through O-4,or a Government civilian employee in paygrades GS5 through GS12 who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in furthering the mission and vision of SSLA within the sea services. This award recognizes significant contributions made by members in promoting the professional development and advancement of women in the uniformed services. This award is awarded to service members regardless of gender who highlight the noteworthy accomplishments of individuals that have and will result in long-term benefits to the nominee’s uniformed service and fulfillment of the service’s diversity, inclusion, equality, and gender strategic goals

The Compass Award is presented annually to members in the pay grades of E7 through E9 and recognizes significant contributions in exceptional leadership and furthering the mission and vision of the SSLA within the sea services. This award is designed to acknowledge those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and women’s empowerment.  This award is not gender-restrictive and seeks to highlight the noteworthy accomplishments of individuals that have resulted in long-term benefits to women in the nominee’s uniformed service.

The North Star Award is presented annually to an active duty or reserve officer, male or female, in the pay grades of O5 through O10 and/or a government civilian employee in paygrades GS-13 to Senior Executive Service who has made significant contributions in exceptional leadership and furthering the mission and vision of the SSLA within the services. Nominees should be proven sustained superior performers and this award is designed to acknowledge those who, over a period of time, have demonstrated exceptional leadership and women’s empowerment, rather than a singular, short-term accomplishment. This award is not gender-restrictive and seeks to highlight the noteworthy accomplishments of individuals that have resulted in long-term benefits to the nominee’s uniformed service and fulfillment of the service’s diversity, inclusion, equality, and gender strategic goals.

Nominations for the Rising Star Award are due by March 15, 2023. Nominations for the Emerging Leader, Compass and North Star Awards are due by April 15, 2023.

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 Sgt Maj Ronda Kirkby at sslaawards@gmail.com.