FLTCM(SS) Frank A. Lister Award
Established in 2000, the Fleet Master Chief Frank A. Lister Award for Exceptional Leadership and Motivation while serving as a Chief of the Boat recognizes a submarine Chief of the Boat who has displayed exceptional leadership and motivation of his crew. The award is presented to a submarine senior or master chief petty officer while serving as or having recently served as Chief of the Boat in a submarine during the nomination period.
2023 Awardee: MMNCM(SS) Jason S. Hays, USN
for outstanding meritorious service as Chief of the Boat on USS ANNAPOLIS (SSN 760).
Command Master Chief Hays superlative performance as Chief of the Boat was instrumental in ANNAPOLIS transitioning from a shipyard-centric green crew to experienced warfighters, winning the Submarine Squadron 15 Battle “E” in 2022. He meticulously managed the crew during a deployment in support of Seventh Fleet operations and a change of homeport to Guam. In all tasks he maintained high morale for all the sailors and their families. He is the standards bearer onboard. His hands-on approach to training, qualification, mentorship, and watchstanding were ever present in all ship activities. His exceptional motivation, unwavering adherence to standards, and relentless pursuit of operational excellence encouraged a culture of pride and professionalism throughout the command. He trains and develops junior officers with the same vigor he uses with the CPOs. He has cultivated an excellent relation with the Commanding Officer and his leadership is the reason that the officers, CPOs, and crew work in tandem as a well-practiced team.
Command Master Chief Jason S. Hays is most deserving of recognition by the Naval Submarine League to receive the Master Chief Frank A. Lister Award for Exceptional Leadership and Motivation.
Previous Awardees
2022 |
CMDCM(SS) J. R. McGarrah, USN |
2019 |
FTCM(SS) Richard C. Heering, USN |
2016 |
LSCM(SS) Kevin M. Gibbs, USN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 |
CMDCM(SS) Chris Yacur, USN |
2018 |
CMDCM(SS) Steven Rauch, USN |
2015 |
MMCM(SS) Wayne E. Fetterley, USN |
2020 |
CMDCM(SS) Timothy R. Glazner, USN |
2017 |
ETVCM(SS) Anthony P. Torres, USN |
2014 |
MCMM(SS) Edward T. Rathgeber, USN |
Fleet Master Chief Frank Lister
Fleet Master Chief Lister’s Military career began at age 16 when he enlisted in the Arizona Air National Guard. He served one year and made one deployment before leaving to join the Navy. After completing recruit training in San Diego, California, he attended Submarine School in Groton CT, and was assigned to USS SEA FOX (SS 402), where he completed two WESTPAC deployments, serving as Leading Seaman/Small Boat Coxswain, Landing Party Team Member, Small Arms Petty Officer, Ships Diver (SCUBA), Sonar Watch Stander and Torpedoman.
FLTCM Lister was awarded numerous letters of commendations for outstanding performance of duty, and advanced quickly from Seaman Apprentice (E-2) to Torpedoman Second Class (E-5), setting a personal goal to become a Chief Torpedoman and serve as a Chief of the Boat (COB). FLTCM Lister then served aboard USS BUGARA (SS 331) as Leading Torpedoman, After Torpedo Room and completed one WESTPAC deployment.
In 1962, he attended Launcher Technician training at the Guided Missile School in Dam Neck VA and graduated first in his class. He was then assigned to USS ROBERT E. LEE (SSBN 601) (BLUE), where he completed six deterrent patrols and an 18-month shipyard overhaul in Vallejo CA. After overhaul, he was transferred to USS ROBERT E. LEE (SSBN 601) (GOLD), where he was advanced to Chief Torpedoman and served as Chief of the Boat/Enlisted Advisor, and completed five deterrent patrols.
In his next assignment at the Navy Recruiting Station, Salt Lake City, he distinguished himself as an outstanding navy recruiter, advancing from Field Recruiter to Station Supervisor to Zone Supervisor, Utah/Eastern Nevada. His zone consistently led the nation in Advanced Electronic and Nuclear Power enlisted recruiting.
FLTCM Lister next served as Chief of the Boat of the commissioning crew of USS LOS ANGELES (SSN 688), where he became the first person to be selected and assigned to a Chief of the Boat position by the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS).
FLTCM Lister was selected to serve as the Atlantic Fleet Submarine Force Master Chief (FORCM) in 1975 when he served for Force Commanders VADM Joe Williams, Jr. and VADM Ken Carr for four years. In 1979, he served as FLTCM for CINCLANT, ADM Harry Train, for three years. FLTCM Lister was also selected three times, in 1975, 1978 and 1982, as a finalist for Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON).