The Center for Security Forces (CENSECFOR) announced its three 2021 military Instructors of the Year (IOY) in the senior, mid-grade, and junior categories, Nov. 29.

“I was extremely humbled when I got the news about being selected as the Instructor of the Year,” said Chief Master-at-Arms Evan Ellis, selected as CENSECFOR’s senior IOY. “It is a great honor because I absolutely love what I do here. There is nothing better than sharing your first hand experiences and seeing students faces light up and get motivated to learn.”

Ellis shared that the biggest challenge at CENSECFOR Detachment Pearl Harbor this past year was adapting to teaching classes with all the COVID mitigations. In addition, Ellis organized an effort to implement two virtual antiterrorism officer (ATO) afloat courses. These virtual classes enabled afloat commands that could not send their Sailors to in person training to maintain their ATO qualifications.

When asked about his next career milestone, Ellis shared, “My next career milestone is to finish up my degree, keep giving each student the best experience at Detachment Pearl Harbor, and pass on this knowledge to future instructors so we our success continues. This is one command that I’m truly going to miss.”

“There are many outstanding instructors in the CENSECFOR domain who put in a tremendous effort to master their craft to deliver a great product,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Apolo Silva, selected as CENSECFOR’s mid-grade IOY. “Knowing that I work with a group of true professionals has been a large motivating factor to continuously seek self-improvement.”

Silva, assigned to CENSECFOR Detachment Kittery, encourages his fellow Navy instructors to “stay curious” by consistently seeking to improve their knowledge, skills, and their teaching ability. He further shared that, “if you continue to raise your standard each time you reach your goals, you will continue to advance and enhance your proficiency in your duties.”

Asked about his next career milestone, Silva said, “My next short-term goal is to be selected to Chief Petty Officer. I value the ability to positively impact the careers of my troops, peers, and supervisors. The legacy we all leave for our successors should be one of pride and resilience, and it is what I continuously strive to achieve.”

CENSECFOR Learning Site Gulfport’s Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Matthew Jackson is the 2021 junior IOY.

Jackson’s leadership considers him a consummate professional, a sterling example of hands-on leadership, and a role model for all Sailors to emulate. He delivered 353 hours of classroom instruction and 208 hours of practical application, providing training to more than 2,608 students in 2021.

The Center for Security Forces provides specialized training to more than 20 thousand students each year. It has 14 training locations across the United States and worldwide that carry the motto "Where Training Breeds Confidence."