By Kayla Good, Navy Office of Community Outreach
SAN DIEGO – A 1998 Athens High School
graduate and Troy, Michigan native is serving
in the U.S. Navy with Afloat Training Group San Diego.
As a Navy operations specialist she is responsible for five personnel that
conduct link and global command and control systems which makes ships able to
communicate with each other foreign and domestic.
“This job gives me the ability to directly train other
sailors that are onboard ships,” said
Milton. “I get one on one contact with them. In some cases, I get to plant a seed with the young sailors and watch
it grow. It’s rewarding to get to pass down your knowledge.”
The training
group provides dynamic training to Navy and Coast Guard sailors to ensure a
combat ready force capable of performing a broad spectrum of missions,
according to Navy officials. Special emphasis is placed on preparing ships'
training teams, special evolution teams and watch teams to institutionalize the
onboard capability to sustain and improve combat readiness throughout an
employment cycle.
“I enjoy this command
because of the people,” said Milton. “The
current commanding officer is so personable. It’s great to work for someone
that you don't want to let down because they are also want to see you succeed. I also like the
influence we have on the fleet.”
Afloat Training
Group San Diego strives to keep sailors’ warfare expertise sharp by maintaining
professional knowledge and skills through a robust training program of
installations and factory training, technical symposiums, informal training and
self-study. By maintaining a group of subject matters experts in different
warfare areas, they prepare ships to be missions ready.
"It’s amazing to hear our sailors’ stories,” said Capt. James Storm, commander of Afloat Training Group San Diego.
“Some of them are working on their PhDs and others are working on their first
degree. I’ve met sailors who grew up in extreme poverty, and now they own their
own home here in Southern California. Serving here at Afloat Training Group is
considered a career enhancing tour because these sailors are recognized
experts. They lay the foundation for successful deployments.”
According to Navy officials, approximately 355 sailors
make up the training group making their jobs highly specialized in
order to
keep each part of the command running smoothly.
As a member of
the Afloat Training Group San Diego, sailors prepare ships to deploy. Milton explained
they are building a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes. The trainers
know how important it is for the Navy to maintain and uphold war-fighting
capabilities to continue their success on the world’s oceans.
“I have been doing the same job for 20 years,” added Milton. “I grew up in
the Navy. It means everything from fighting for my country to knowing my son is
also proud of me.”