Face of Defense: Sailor Demonstrates Adaptability

Face of Defence ^ | Lance Cpl. Samuel A. Nasso, USMC

[SandRat]

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan, Sept. 2, 2009 – When Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Traci Inniss enlisted in 1995, she followed in the footsteps of her military family members, even choosing to become a corpsman at the influence of her brother and sister, who had joined the Marine Corps.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Traci Inniss, a team leader of casualty evacuation corpsmen, waits for a CH-53D Sea Stallion to refuel at Forward Operating Base Dwyer, Afghanistan, July 19, 2009. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel A. Nasso  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

But Inniss, a team leader with Marine Aircraft Group 40’s casualty evacuation team in Marine Expeditionary Brigade Afghanistan, quickly laid her own path, according to those who serve with her, proving her leadership of junior sailors and an adaptability for various deployments and situations.

"Her ability to adapt to a completely different kind of mission is impressive," said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Arnold, a corpsman who serves on Inniss’ team in Afghanistan and previously deployed with her to Iraq. "Her leadership style makes us strong and is the reason why we are as tight as we are."

It was because of her leadership and adaptability that Inniss recently became the brigade’s first Sailor of the Quarter, a recognition program created to acknowledge sailors who lead by example, accept responsibility and adapt to and overcome any hardship.

"I think my willingness to do anything, to take on any challenge, is the reason why I was recognized," Inniss said.

A native of Lyndon, Ill., Inniss joined the Navy in February 1995, influenced by her family’s military service. In 2008, she deployed for eight months to Asad, Iraq, and now faces new challenges and different missions in Afghanistan.

Focusing on her junior sailors has been a key attribute to Inniss' leadership style for the past 14 years.

"You have to listen to your junior troops and know who they are," she said. "My junior troops always come before me,” she said, adding that she helps them to grow and advance in their careers by teaching them things they need to learn.

"She puts her sailors before herself, which is evident by the success of her junior sailors, who are 100 percent [Fleet Marine Force] qualified and their 100 percent advancement to [petty officer 3rd Class]," said Petty Officer 1st Class Craig Pasanen, leading petty officer for the casualty evacuation corpsmen.

Although the end of her deployment is far beyond the horizon, Inniss has no plans to stop leading her corpsmen to excel. Once her deployment ends, she said, she plans to do what she loves most: spending time with her two children, Wynter and Aydan. Until then, her fellow sailors will continue to look to her for the leadership she has become known for.

"She takes charge, delegates fairly and is not afraid of responsibility," Arnold said. "She's always willing to get her hands dirty to help get whatever task that needs to be done, done."

(Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Samuel A. Nasso serves in the Marine Aircraft Group 40 public affairs office.)

[SandRat]

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[ConorMacNessa]

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[chainsaw]

Do they still have short arm inspection in the Navy?

[SandRat]

ConorMacNessa, chainsaw asked Do they still have short arm inspection in the Navy?

[DustyMoment]

Speaking as a former sailor (”squid” in Marine Corps parlance), God bless the Navy Corpsmen!! One of the things sailors AND Marines can agree on is that the corpsmen are the best!!!

I wish my shipmate Inniss the very best. Shipmate, thank you for everything you have done, currently do, and will do in the future for your brothers and sisters in arms. My little black heart swells with pride at the things our junior service members do for our country!! These kids are the best of the best!!

God bless’em all!!!

[Randy Larsen]

LOL!

[ASOC]

Hey Navy guys - a little help for a zoomie....

14 years and still just 2nd class PO? I would have thought Chief or at least 1st Class PO. I’m I wrong? Really slow for promotions of late?

[SandRat]

ConorMacNessa,

ASOC is askin..

14 years and still just 2nd class PO? I would have thought Chief or at least 1st Class PO. I’m I wrong? Really slow for promotions of late?

[IDontLikeToPayTaxes]

What exactly did she do that’s any different than any of the other tens of thousands of sailors that are busting their humps on a daily basis?

[ConorMacNessa]

Much slower these days. I'm not sure why, although it will probably slow down even more under this administration.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[ConorMacNessa]

The short answer to that question is I don't know, but I would not at all be surprised if they did.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!