Will Pond

Command Leading Petty Officer of the Year Navy Recruiting District Michigan Dec 2016 Navy Recruiting LPO of the Year Recognition• Provided dynamic leadership to a team of recruiters that exceeded mission by over 120%, directly contributing to the command earning top regional and national recognition.• Mentored and developed recruiters through structured training, accountability, and one-on-one coaching, resulting in three Recruiters of the Quarter and a dramatic rise in overall team performance.• Implemented innovative recruiting strategies—targeted digital… Show more Navy Recruiting LPO of the Year Recognition• Provided dynamic leadership to a team of recruiters that exceeded mission by over 120%, directly contributing to the command earning top regional and national recognition.• Mentored and developed recruiters through structured training, accountability, and one-on-one coaching, resulting in three Recruiters of the Quarter and a dramatic rise in overall team performance.• Implemented innovative recruiting strategies—targeted digital campaigns, community engagement, and referral incentives—that increased qualified leads by 35% and sustained pipeline strength.• Managed daily operations, schedules, and production reporting for a high-volume station, ensuring zero missed deadlines and flawless administrative compliance.• Reduced delayed entry attrition to the lowest in the station’s history by instituting a robust applicant mentorship and follow-up program.• Led by example, personally exceeding individual production goals while simultaneously elevating team output across multiple recruiting categories.• Coordinated with schools, civic leaders, and local organizations to establish long-term partnerships that enhanced Navy awareness and broadened the applicant base.• Recognized for exceptional leadership, innovation, and mission accomplishment, establishing the station as the district’s benchmark for success. Show less

Large Station of the Year - Region West Navy Recruiting Command Dec 2016 Navy Recruiting Station – Large Station of the Year (Region West)• Drove station to #1 performance across Region West, encompassing half of the nation’s recruiting commands, by surpassing accession goals and setting new production benchmarks.• Achieved over 125% of assigned mission, leading all large stations in qualified contracts, shippers, and overall production within the region.• Implemented cutting-edge recruiting initiatives—including targeted digital outreach… Show more Navy Recruiting Station – Large Station of the Year (Region West)• Drove station to #1 performance across Region West, encompassing half of the nation’s recruiting commands, by surpassing accession goals and setting new production benchmarks.• Achieved over 125% of assigned mission, leading all large stations in qualified contracts, shippers, and overall production within the region.• Implemented cutting-edge recruiting initiatives—including targeted digital outreach, high-visibility community events, and innovative referral programs—that increased qualified applicant flow by 40% year-over-year.• Cultivated a high-performance culture through mentorship and accountability, producing multiple Recruiters of the Quarter/Year and positioning the team as the most decorated large station in the region.• Reduced delayed-entry attrition to the lowest rate in the region, ensuring maximum readiness of shippers and directly enhancing Fleet manning.• Forged impactful partnerships with schools, civic organizations, and influencers across multiple states, expanding Navy presence and securing sustainable recruiting pipelines for future missions.• Maintained flawless compliance during command inspections and audits, reinforcing the station’s reputation as the gold standard for large station operations.• Recognized nationally for exemplary leadership, teamwork, and innovation, contributing significantly to Navy Recruiting Command’s mission success across the western United States. Show less

Command Senior Sailor of the Year Navy Recruiting District San Antonio Dec 2013 Navy Recruiting Senior Sailor of the Year Recognition• Consistently exceeded individual recruiting goals, producing over 130% of mission requirements and ranking among the top recruiters in the district.• Demonstrated outstanding mentorship by training and guiding junior recruiters, resulting in two Recruiters of the Month and a significant increase in overall team production.• Spearheaded innovative recruiting strategies—including targeted school outreach, social media campaigns… Show more Navy Recruiting Senior Sailor of the Year Recognition• Consistently exceeded individual recruiting goals, producing over 130% of mission requirements and ranking among the top recruiters in the district.• Demonstrated outstanding mentorship by training and guiding junior recruiters, resulting in two Recruiters of the Month and a significant increase in overall team production.• Spearheaded innovative recruiting strategies—including targeted school outreach, social media campaigns, and community engagement—that boosted qualified applicant leads by 25%.• Played a pivotal role in reducing Delayed Entry Program attrition through proactive applicant mentorship and readiness programs, ensuring maximum shipper success.• Excelled as a subject matter expert in recruiting operations, providing critical insight and recommendations that improved processing timelines and applicant management.• Actively engaged in community relations, representing the Navy at career fairs, public events, and civic meetings, strengthening local partnerships and enhancing the Navy’s image.• Displayed superior professionalism and leadership, earning recognition from peers and supervisors alike for setting the standard in conduct, performance, and mission focus.• Embodied Navy Core Values, directly contributing to the command’s designation as a top-performing recruiting station within the district and region. Show less

Command Junior Sailor of the Year USS Hartford May 2010 • Operated and maintained advanced passive and active sonar systems to ensure continuous submarine situational awareness and mission readiness.• Expertly monitored acoustic signatures, classified contacts, and provided timely reports to the Officer of the Deck and Sonar Supervisor during critical operations.• Supported anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions by detecting, tracking, and evaluating surface ships, submarines, and potential threats with precision.• Conducted… Show more • Operated and maintained advanced passive and active sonar systems to ensure continuous submarine situational awareness and mission readiness.• Expertly monitored acoustic signatures, classified contacts, and provided timely reports to the Officer of the Deck and Sonar Supervisor during critical operations.• Supported anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions by detecting, tracking, and evaluating surface ships, submarines, and potential threats with precision.• Conducted preventative and corrective maintenance on sonar equipment, reducing system downtime and maximizing operational reliability.• Assisted in compiling acoustic intelligence (ACINT) logs and maintaining classified records essential for submarine tactical decision-making.• Demonstrated outstanding watch standing performance, consistently maintaining vigilance in high-stress and demanding environments.• Contributed to training efforts by mentoring fellow junior sailors in sonar equipment operation, contact evaluation, and safety protocols.• Recognized for exceptional attention to detail, technical proficiency, and teamwork, directly enhancing mission success and crew safety.• Played a key role in ensuring the submarine’s stealth and survivability by providing accurate sonar analysis and recommendations during complex evolutions. Show less