Sailor Of The Year - Navy Reserve

 (Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist/Naval Aircrew)
Todd Philip Brooks
Aviation Electronics Technician First Class

Navy Reserve Sailor of the Year

Petty Officer Brooks was born June 28, 1967 in Pontiac, Michigan. He attended high school in Waterford, Michigan where he participated in a CO-OP program working as an aviation airframe and power plant mechanic’s apprentice. In 1984, Brooks enlisted in the Navy under the delayed entry program. Following recruit training he reported to NATTC Millington for Aviation Electronics Technician “A” School, graduating as class honor student. Following “A” School, he completed Advanced First Term Avionics School (AFTA). He then reported to VP-30 for P-3C Update II/II.5 Weapon Systems Technician School, Avionics Corrosion Control and NAMP.

During 1987 Petty Officer Brooks reported to VP-56 and in 1988, he was selected as a CNO Special Projects Avionics Technician. He volunteered to manage the squadrons MAD compensation program and act as a dedicated in-flight technician for all currency flights. Within a year, the squadron had the best currency rate in the Atlantic Fleet and was recognized by RADM Samuel Yow, COMPATWINGLANT. He was hand-picked by COMPATWING-11 to work with General Instruments' engineers and was selected as Sailor of the Quarter March 1989.

Following the disestablishment of VP-56 in 1991, he transferred to COMPATWING-11 Logistics Department to serve as the central technical representative. That year, Petty Officer Brooks separated from the Navy and began employment with TRW Transportation Electronics Division as a Production/Quality Technician.

In 1993, he was hired by Ford Motor Company as a technician at the Research & Engineering Center. He was awarded the Customer Driven Quality Award for engineering excellence. He has taken over 87 Ford sponsored technical, professional and personal development courses, received 20 engineering certifications and earned an Associates of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology.

During 2001 he re-affiliated with the Navy Reserves and checked aboard VP-92 and served as Line Leading Petty Officer. In 2005, he graduated SERE school at NAS Brunswick and became fully seat qualified.

In 2003, he was awarded The Product Development Health & Safety Award from the group Vice-President. He received personal approval from Bill Ford Jr. to begin implementation of a Veteran Employee Network Group within Ford Motor Company to assist the over 2,000 company Reservists and Guardsmen. Petty Officer Brooks is currently enrolled at Lawrence Technological University pursing his Bachelors of Science in Engineering.

He was selected as VP-92 Sailor of the Quarter in 2003 and later, Sailor of the Year for 2003, 2004, 2005 & 2006. Petty Officer Brooks was selected as Commander Reserve Patrol Wing Sailor of the Year in 2004 & 2005 and went on to be selected as COMPATRECONWING 5 and COMPATRECON Group SOY in 2007. He was a Top 5 finalist for the 2006 COMNAVRESFOR SOY. March 2007, Petty Officer Brooks transferred to the Center for Naval Leadership to serve as a facilitator throughout the Midwest Region.

AT1(AW/NAC) Brooks’ personal military awards include two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards) along with various service and campaign medals.