# DLA Maritime Norfolk and DLA Pearl Harbor sailors advanced through special Navy program

/ Published May 19, 2020

Two exceptional sailors supporting the DLA warfighter support mission, Logistics Specialist Second Class Jasmine Robinson and LS1 Laklas Howard, were selectively advanced through a special U.S. Navy program that rewards superior performance.

The Meritorious Advancement Program enables U.S. Navy commands to immediately reward their most talented sailors ahead of normal promotion cycles. MAP authorizes commanding officers to advance their exceptional sailors in paygrades E-5 and below to the next higher paygrade when they are ready for the next level of responsibility. 

The program gives greater authority to commands to better shape their workforce by identifying, developing and rewarding highly accomplished sailors. Many of these sailors are already performing duties at the next higher pay grade. MAP quotas are limited and competition is intense, so only the top performers are selected for advancement through this program. 

Defense Logistics Agency Maritime Norfolk is staffed with a cadre of superior sailors and LS1 Logistics Specialist Second Class Jasmine Robinson was its fiscal year 2020 selection. Robinson has been in the Navy for eight years and during the last three she’s served as Norfolk’s expediter work center supervisor.

In that role she manages a team of sailors who support critical maintenance projects for 11 "Tip of the Spear" submarines at Norfolk Naval Base. Her efforts have helped DLA Maritime Norfolk successfully manage challenging and competing priorities, ensuring zero platform delivery delays due to supply support.

Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Robinson is the third sailor at DLA Maritime Norfolk to receive a MAP. She immediately re-enlisted for six years following her promotion. Her personal motto is "Only those who see the invisible can do the impossible."

“She’s just an overall phenomenal sailor,” said DLA Maritime Norfolk Officer in Charge U.S. Navy Cdr. Aaron Sikes. “We were thrilled to hear that she was selected for advancement and promoted her at our first opportunity. Robinson will continue to lead by example and serve the Navy as she prepares to leave DLA this summer and transfer to Fleet Logistics Center Bahrain.”

LS1 Laklas Howard was also selected by the Navy for promotion through the MAP. He joined Robinson in being acknowledged among the Navy’s group of highly motivated and recognized sailors.

Howard has served in the Navy for 10 years and been assigned to DLA Maritime Pearl Harbor since May 2017. He’s the warehouse leading petty officer where he leads a team of highly skilled sailors in processing, tracking, receiving and issuing high priority material in direct support of the Intermediate Maintenance Facility’s maintenance team.

In addition to keeping logistics operations flowing, Howard provides training to his fellow sailors on warehouse operations and to customers on maximizing warehouse support. His efforts helped significantly reduce the material turn-around time for Pearl Harbor Naval Ship Yard and IMF maintenance availabilities.

“We’re extremely pleased to see Petty Officer Howard be awarded the MAP for this cycle. It’s been an honor to watch him grow during this tour as he accepts positions and tasks with higher complexity,” said Officer in Charge DLA Maritime Pearl Harbor U.S. Navy Cdr. Bruce Reilly. “For example, as a collateral duty he’s been administrating the Navy physical fitness program for all DLA Commands on Oahu, single handedly scheduling and performing all testing and administrative requirements. This kind of effort is what I think awarding the MAP is all about.”