News Release

WASHINGTON – The Coast Guard named a Newark, Calif., native as its 2010 Reserve Enlisted Person of the Year at a ceremony at Coast Guard Headquarters Friday.

Petty Officer 1^st Class William M. Hilt, a health services technician stationed at Port Security Unit 312 in San Francisco, was presented the Reserve Enlisted Person of the Year award by Adm. Robert J. Papp, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.

“It was an honor to be nominated and recognized by the commandant, the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard and the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve Force” Hilt said.

During the ceremony, he was awarded a Coast Guard Commendation Medal and meritoriously promoted to petty officer 1^st class.

A chemistry major at San Jose State University as a civilian, Hilt managed the medical screenings of 140 personnel deploying to the Middle East, which was critical to the success of PSU 312’s pre-deployment works-ups.

In addition to the medical screenings, hilt improved patient care delivery and led medical training after his duty rotations. He also provided instruction to shipmates working toward professional certifications.

“I like the atmosphere of the PSU, and the fact it’s a deployable unit.” Hilt said. “It gives me access to training that I wouldn’t get at other reserve units that I can pass on to my shipmates.”

His actions and work ethic allowed him to become a mentor for new and aspiring health services technicians and corpsmen from both the Coast Guard and the Navy.

The REPOY program recognizes exceptional men and women in the Coast Guard’s Reserve enlisted workforce. Considered as the “best and brightest” from the field, these individuals are selected by a panel of senior enlisted members who evaluate each nominee against a set of established criteria that includes performance, work ethics, military bearing, standards of conduct and a strong community service commitment.

The REPOY program is designed to recognize enlisted persons in the workforce in pay grades E-2 through E-6. Nominees must reflect the spirit of pride, professionalism, dedication and must embody the Coast Guard core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty.  Community service provided by the nominees enhances the lives of others inside and outside of the Coast Guard.

Hilt was previously honored as the Eleventh Coast Guard District’s REPOY at a ceremony held March 16, 2011 at Coast Guard Island, Alameda, Calif., and the 1^st Quarter Junior Sailor of the Quarter for Combined Task Group 56.5, which is a composite of U.S. Navy and Coast Guardsmen who deploy to Kuwait in support of Operation New Dawn.

PSUs provide security and protect military personnel and facilities from terrorism, sabotage, espionage, subversion and attack. 

Reserve Enlisted Person of the Year

WASHINGTON - Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Michael Leavitt and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve Forces Mark Allen host the reserve enlisted person of the year Petty Officer 1st Class William Hilt at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, May 27, 2011. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley.