Chief Fire Controlman (Aegis) Joseph Babcock, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69), was selected as the 2026 recipient of the USS Constitution George Sirian Meritorious Service Award.
The George Sirian award is given annually aboard USS Constitution to an outstanding chief petty officer selected from the worldwide fleet. The name pays homage to gunner George Sirian who served aboard USS Constitution.
Babcock serves as the combat systems maintenance manager, combat systems department leading chief petty officer, and command managed equal opportunity manager. He is responsible for developing Sailors and maintaining critical combat systems equipment.
“Chief Babcock represents the very best of the chief petty officer mess,” said Cmdr. Graham Van Hook, commanding officer of Milius. “He does not wait for someone else to solve the problem; he gathers his Sailors and takes ownership.”
According to Van Hook, Babcock’s willingness to lead from the front, particularly when the mission demands it, has become a hallmark of his leadership aboard Milius.
“More importantly, he has built that same sense of ownership into the Sailors he leads,” Van Hook said. “That is Chief Babcock’s legacy aboard Milius: he leaves the ship, the mission and the people around him better than he found them. I can think of no chief more deserving of an award that carries the legacy of George Sirian.”
Babcock found himself humbled at the scope of what it means to exemplify the honor and heritage of the chief petty officer. His selection for the George Sirian Meritorious Service Award carried with it professional achievement as well as personal meaning.
Babcock’s father Bill Babcock, a retired Navy chief, served as a quintessence of what it means to be a chief, father and husband.
“I want to thank my father for teaching me everything you did,” he said. “Your patriotism, wisdom and fortitude taught me to be the self-sufficient man that I am today. You made it possible for me to become the chief that embraces the mindset of ‘I owe’ every day while still being a husband and a father.”
On Aug. 28, Babcock’s wife, father and daughter accepted the award on his behalf aboard USS Constitution as he continues supporting operations overseas aboard Milius.
Milius is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. Currently, Milius is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East.
