Honoring: CMDCM Evelyn Banks, USN, Ret.

Honored By: CMDCM Glenda R. Atwood, USN, Ret.

Evelyn Banks was a Chief when I first met her onboard USS ACADIA. I was impressed by her commitment to all of her Sailors in Food Service Division. At the time we had no mentors to look up to and no one to train us in our job. She reported to Acadia and immediately made changes to our training program, recognized junior Sailors when we did a good job, she showed through her actions how much she wanted all of us to succeed. Her training program changed the way we worked in our jobs, Sailors started to advance through the in rate test. Our quality of life changed in her charge. She taught us to care about the crew that we served and to help each other in the food service division through team work. She looked sharp in her uniform, I found out she made Chief in seven years which I thought that was impressive, not only did she advance in seven years but she came into the Navy as an undesignated Seaman. Her encouragement and energy level was always high. After I left Acadia I realized she was a special type of leader and all of us succeeded as we went our separate ways.