Departing Military Success Stories
Mr. Michael Hales, Able Seaman
When Able Seaman Michael Hales came to Military Sealift Command, he was hoping to do something he loves: work at sea with a talented, skilled team. It’s a love he’s cultivated during a 20-year career in the Navy, and it’s work he missed after retiring in 2005.
As it turns out, not only does Hales love working at sea, he’s also quite good at it – one of the best in fleet, in fact. For his service aboard USNS Grapple, Hales was recently named the 2008 Marine Employee of the Year and 2008 Military Sealift Fleet Support Mariner Award of Excellence.
“I was ecstatic,” Hales said of the awards. “It’s just unbelievable. I didn’t think I had a chance, because I’ve only been here for three years.”
USNS Grapple Chief Mate Frank Wareham nominated Hales for the awards. In his nomination letter, Wareham described how immediately after coming aboard as able seaman, Hales took on several new responsibilities in addition to his normal assigned duties – including becoming fire marshal.
“His work as fire marshal was outstanding,” Wareham said. As part of this work, Hales set up damage control lockers for USNS Grapple, he set up spreadsheets to track inventory, and use and maintenance schedules for damage control gear. He also ordered and maintained all lifesaving and aviation equipment. It’s a big job, one normally handled by a full-time dayworker.
By all accounts this alone would have been enough to earn Hales the Mariner of the Year award – but his dedication to his work aboard USNS Grapple didn’t stop there.
When new hands report to USNS Grapple’s deck department, they come to Hales – who introduces them to their ship and their duties. “He was chosen for this task because of his ability to translate big picture operation of a piece of gear and reduce it to the basics,” Wareham explained.
“He’s not only making his part of the world better, but he’s making our people better, too,” Wareham said.
“It’s simply remarkable the amount of productivity one person can have,” Wareham said.
Hales is rightfully proud of his accomplishments, but he’s also quite low-key about it. “This is a great place to work,” he said. “I’ve learned new skills, as I could, and taken on new responsibilities – it’s rewarding to do something I love.”