YOKOSUKA, Japan – Capt. Jeffrey Kim, U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) commanding officer, revealed the command’s first patch for Navy Working Uniform III (NWU III) at an awards ceremony and All Hands Call, June 11.
Kim presented the patch that features an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer sailing in front of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, to service members who previously were selected as Blue Jackets/Sailors of the Quarter/Year during his three years of command at CFAY.
“The patch allows Sailors to share their pride of being part of the CFAY community and their commitment to the command’s mission to provide service to the U.S. 7th Fleet and support the U.S.-Japan alliance,” Kim said.
According to NAVADMIN 075/19 issued Mar. 25, Sailors are authorized to wear an embroidered command/unit logo shoulder patch on their NWUs. The design of command/unit logo patches, however, must be approved by the unit commanding officer.
Kim gave the base Public Affairs Office the green light to design the command’s patch. Public Affairs Specialist Garrett Zopfi took on the challenge by first drawing the design on paper and then moving the sketch onto the computer to generate different versions for Kim to consider and approve.
Zopfi said the approved design, that also features the flags of the U.S. and its ally Japan, is based on the command’s logo and history of friendship with the installation’s host nation.
“When approached with designing the command patch, my instinct was to reference the enduring legacy of friendship and partnership in Yokosuka that started with Capt. Benny Decker, one of the earliest commanders of the base, and continues today,” Zopfi said. “I endeavored to make the patch look like it always existed in CFAY history but with the benefit of new design and fabrication technology to innovate.”
At the awards ceremony and All Hands Call, Kim surprised 11 past Blue Jackets/Sailors of the Quarter/Year with the first available batch of the new patches. Zopfi, who was at the ceremony to watch the unveiling of the patch, said some Sailors put the patch on immediately while others took the time to admire the design.
Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 3rd Class Allyson Reed, CFAY Security, who was selected as Blue Jacket of the Quarter for the second quarter of fiscal year 2019, said it was “an honor” to be among the first to receive the new patch.
“The patch itself is beautifully made,” said Reed. “I feel very proud that I have the honor to wear such a thing. I really look forward to showing this off and representing this command.”
U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) provides, maintains, and operates base facilities and services in support of 7th Fleet’s forward-deployed naval forces, 71 tenant commands, and 27,000 military and civilian personnel and their families.
