Filipina gets 2021 military instructor recognition in US

A Filipina aviation instructor was announced as the 2021 Military Instructor of the Year (MIOY) in the midgrade enlisted category for the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) at a ceremony in Florida on March 30.

First Class Beatriz Cruz from the Aviation Support Equipment Technician Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit North Island, California, is a native of Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

In a post, NETC Commander Rear Adm. Pete Garvin said, "NETC Military Instructors of the Year program recognizes those Sailors and officers who exhibit attributes such as sustained superior performance, leadership, self-improvement, command and community involvement, exemplary military bearing, and the ability to effectively and avidly impart knowledge in an educational context.”

Cruz was one of hundreds of sailors who competed for the title of NETC MIOY, representing the top achievers from a pool of more than 10,000 military instructors at over 1,640 subordinate activities, sites, districts, stations and detachments throughout the world.

She received a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for her achievements, according to the navyoutreach.blogspot.com.

“Serving as an instructor is a very humbling experience,” Cruz was  quoted as saying in the blog.

“Staff members in my Maintenance Training Unit rely on each other’s expertise to provide the best training.  Every interaction with students is a chance to give them something they can apply for the rest of their career; may it be a new skill, life lesson shared by one of us, or assistance provided during their transition between commands,” she added.

Cruz is a qualified Master Training Specialist who has facilitated three training evolutions that enabled 12 instructors to also attain MTS qualifications.

Cruz graduated in 2005 of Regional Science High School - Region III in East Kalayaan, Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

She is a 2009 graduate of University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. Cruz earned a Master of Business Administration in 2018 at the National University in San Diego, California.

Cruz is the daughter of Maria Dolores and Fernando Cruz, both natives of the Philippines. —LBG/GMA News