Navy judge advocate, Lt. Katie Worstell, received a Military Leadership Award during the 46th Annual USO Woman of the Year Luncheon hosted by the USO of Metropolitan New York May 1. Worstell is one of five female service members who received the award honoring dedication, achievement, and exceptional service to the country. One female recipient was chosen from each branch of the armed forces to be recognized for their accomplishments.
"I am humbled to receive a leadership award from the USO, an organization of volunteers, that for decades has led from the front in supporting our troops and their families," said Worstell, operational law instructor, Naval Justice School in Newport. R.I.
Worstell graduated from Bucknell University in 2002 with a bachelor of science in Business Management. She attended law school at the University of Dayton and graduated in 2006 with her juris doctorate and master's degree in Business Administration. After her first year of law school, Worstell clerked for Chief Judge Mary Lisi at the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. Worstell accepted her commission into the JAG Corps in March of 2005. In March 2011, Worstell reported to Naval Justice School as an instructor.
"As an instructor at the Naval Justice School, Worstell has served as a mentor to new judge advocates in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Due to her extensive operational experience, I personally selected Worstell to teach in our Operational Law Department. Worstell has demonstrated exceptional leadership in helping the Basic Lawyer Course students make the adjustment to become naval officers and has taught them to not only be better JAGs, but to be strong female officers," said Capt. Stacy Pedrozo, commanding officer, Naval Justice School.
In addition to Worstell, the USO of Metropolitan New York presented Military Leadership Awards to Army Sergeant Julia Bringloe, Marine Corps Sergeant Sheena Adams, Air Force Capt. Gina Fasciani, and Coast Guard Lt.j.g. Katherine Ustler. The USO presented the 2012 Woman of the Year Distinguished Service Awards to Marillyn Hewson, executive vice president, Electronic Systems, Lockheed Martin Corporation and Army Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, the first female four-star general in the U.S. Army.
"She is an outstanding naval officer whose commitment to the Navy is contagious," said Pedrozo. "She is an inspiration to all who serve with her."
Natalie Morales, news anchor of NBC's "TODAY" show, along with Medal of Honor recipient and retired Army Col. Jack Jacobs co-hosted the Military Leadership Awards Luncheon and Ann Curry, co-anchor of NBC's "TODAY" show presented the awards. This event was established to recognize those women, both civilian and military, who have played important roles by providing direct or indirect support for our military during some of the most challenging times in our nation's history.