WOSA Roberts and Sailor of the Year 2006 LCH Dudson at RNZAF Ohakea, October 2006.
25 October 2006
Michael Dudson joined the Navy in 1998. Leading Chef (his current rank in the Navy) Dudson was selected from 13 peers as the 2006 Sailor of the Year. Michael has consistently demonstrated excellent leadership qualities with his unique ability to tailor his leadership style to suit the individuals under his supervision, He has ensured he follows through on all areas, and provided both positive and constructive feedback as and when required. Since receiving this award Michael has left NZ for a six month operational deployment to Afghanistan, as part of the NZ Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamian Province - 8500 feet above sea level.
He writes about being named Sailor of the Year from his posting in Bamyan, Afghanistan:
"As I stood at RNZAF Ohakea, preparing to embark on a six month deployment to Afghanistan, watching friends say tearful goodbyes to their families, I was surprised to be told by the Warrant Officer of the Navy that I had been named Sailor of the Year. My first thought was surprise as I was fully aware of the strong competition I was up against. Receiving this award is both an honour and a challenge. It is an honour to be recognised for my achievements; but it is also a challenge to ensure that I continue to maintain the high standards that are worthy of a recipient of this award.
I received this award not because I am the best at what I do, nor because I never made a mistake nor because I always say the right things at the right time. I was awarded this I believe, to recognise my passion and commitment to my career, whatever job I find myself doing.
From serving on Naval Ships, Galley’s ashore, the Sea Safety Training Squadron and now Afghanistan as part of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team, I have had a varied career with many highs. With all of these postings what comes to mind as I think about my career is the Royal New Zealand Navy’s Core Values of Commitment, Comradeship and Courage. The core values build the foundation for everything from a successful trip, a successful posting, to a successful career. Throughout my career I have required all three to succeed. What commitment means to me is being proud of my job and seeing a task through regardless, and to find that balance between work and home life. The second value of comradeship means not only socialising and good times, but also having respect for myself, my peers and my command. The third value of courage is a little harder to define. Courage comes in so many forms, from having the courage to tell your group of mates what they are doing is wrong through to having the courage to make sacrifices for something you really believe in. I believe courage is integral in the success of today’s Navy. To be successful we have to believe in what we are doing and be proud to say so.
As a reward for being named Sailor of the Year, I will be travelling to the United States to attend a course on one of our core values, courage. This is an opportunity, not only for myself, but for the Royal New Zealand Navy as a whole, to continue building on already strong foundations we have established.
I would like to thank Rear Admiral Ledson for selecting me as Sailor of the Year, my superiors for putting me forward, and my competition for truly making this award an honour worth having".
Ends