FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. - An instructor at the Defense Information School won the Fort Meade Ultima Service Member of the Year award March 18.
Navy Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael B. Zeltakalns, an instructor with the Broadcast Operations and Maintenance Department at DINFOS, achieved the honor based on his professional commitment throughout the year and his selection board performance.
To be nominated for Fort Meade's annual board, service members were required to place first in their command quarterly board. During the course of three months, Zeltakalns placed first in the DINFOS Warrior of the Quarter Board, the Installation Warrior of the Quarter Board and the Ultima Service Member of the Year board.
The award is viewed as recognition of personal excellence; however Zeltakalns' focus was not on himself.
"I was very proud to represent my department and the Navy throughout this process," Zeltakalns said. "It took numerous hours studying knowledge of all of the services as well as local and current events."
Zeltakalns teaches the Basic Combat Correspondent Course. His classes include service members from all branches of the military. Limited to only 16-class days, Zeltakalns' goal is to give his students a strong foundation in broadcasting.
"MC1 Zeltakalns is an excellent instructor who cares about the professional education for every student who comes through his course," said Navy Chief Petty Officer Steve Bansbach, noncommissioned officer in charge of BOMD. "He is a very good mentor for students to emulate."
In addition to teaching, Zeltakalns also mentors Sailors at the Navy's Center for Service Support Detachment DINFOS.
He said he was not thrilled when he was notified that he had been nominated for the Service Member of the Year competition because he knew so many other co-workers were just as deserving.
But Zeltakalns said he realized it was his responsibility to best represent his department, command and service before the board.
"Participation in the event pushes you to learn more and expand your horizons beyond what you would have known anyway," he said.
Zeltakalns attributed time management and adequate preparation as keys for preparing for the board, and a positive attitude and teamwork as the keys to winning the competition.
This is the third consecutive year that a DINFOS instructor has won Fort Meade's Ultima Service Member of the Year award.
"I know we have phenomenal NCOs at DINFOS," said 1st Sgt. Class Angela D. McKinzie, DINFOS' first sergeant. "And these competitions serve as further confirmation of that since the Ultima winner is selected from the best of the best on the installation."
Genualdi is a member of the DINFOS Public Affairs Office.
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