Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Sailor with local ties wins Naval award
SILOAM SPRINGS — Logan Irwin has served his country with dedication and hard work. He was named Junior Sailor of the Year for his ship in November.
Irwin, 23, is an AC2 Second Class Petty Officer Air Traffic Controller on the USS Ronald Reagan.
Irwin, who was born in Siloam Springs and grew up in Redding, Calif., has served in the Navy for the last two and a half years, he said. Irwin’s mother, Corrie Irwin, lives in Siloam Springs.
The USS Ronald Reagan is a Nimitz class aircraft carrier stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, and serves in as the Navy’s only forward deployed aircraft carrier, according to airpac.navy.mil.
Irwin’s journey to Junior Sailor of the Year began in September when he went through his first screening process. Irwin’s last review was on Nov. 8 and he was named Junior Sailor of the Year on Nov. 15, he said.
Irwin visited the Reagan Ranch and participated in the Reagan Defense Forum, which gave Irwin a chance to portray the work done on the Ronald Reagan, as one of the rewards for achieving Junior Sailor of the Year, he said.
Irwin also met the Secretary of Defense, the previous Secretary of Defense and various admirals and politicians during the visit, he said.
His enlistment was a sign from God, Irwin said.
“I was working at Home Depot asking God for a sign,” Irwin said. “That day, the first sailor I had seen shopping there for the six months that I had worked at Home Depot told me to enlist, and I felt the Holy Spirit telling me the same, so that’s why I enlisted.”
Irwin went to Great Lakes Naval Station outside of Chicago for basic training and the Naval Air Technical Training Center at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla., to train as an air traffic controller, he said.
Irwin was posted to the Ronald Reagan after he graduated from air technical school.
Irwin distinguished himself as a sailor with a positive attitude and a desire to help shipmates when needed, said Senior Chief Petty Officer Air Traffic Controlman Joseph Collard, Irwin’s superior.
“He has an indomitable spirit,” Collard said of Irwin. “No matter what we have to do or how frustrating it is he is one of those guys who get in there and gets it done and has fun along the way.”
Irwin has also taken the initiative on occasion, Collard said. Irwin took on the role of Command Fitness Leader, Collard said.
Maintenance falls on the ship’s crew when a naval vessel is at sea, and Irwin volunteered to assist with maintenance duties aboard the Ronald Reagan, Collard said.
Commanders from Virginia came to inspect the Ronald Reagan and Irwin’s department scored a 98.4, Collard said.
Irwin has also excelled as an air traffic controller, Collard said. Irwin learned departure procedures and is now studying approach procedures, both of which are usually handled by sailors of a higher rank than Irwin’s.
“He has a natural talent for air traffic control,” Collard said.
Before earning Junior Sailor of the Year, Irwin achieved Junior Sailor of the Quarter for the fourth quarter.
Collard said it was excellent that Irwin won Junior Sailor of the Year.
“As a leader, you want to see them succeed,” Collard said. “It is rewarding to watch them grow and it validates you.”
Junior Sailor of the Year is just one award given on the Ronald Reagan, Irwin said. There are other awards given out like Blue Jacket of the Year, Senior Sailor of the Year and Sailor of the Year, Irwin said.
To be awarded Junior Sailor of the Year, Irwin had to answer questions about naval history, current events and what he could do to make things better on the ship, he said.
Irwin was neck-and-neck with another sailor for the award, but Irwin’s dedication to his job and to making the lives of his fellow sailors better put him over the top, he said.
When asked about what the future holds, Irwin said a lot of sailors are asking themselves that question.
“I will probably stay in a little longer, learn from my superiors, lead those under me and see what God has in store for me,” Irwin said.