PENSACOLA, Fla. - Airman Joshua Shelstad, a native of Puyallup, Washington, is serving the U.S. Navy at Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC).
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anna-Liesa Hussey |
As a student at NASC, Shelstad is serving among sailors, Marines and guardsmen developing the skills needed to be combat-ready aviation professionals. NASC is located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, provides an educational foundation in technical training, character development, and professional leadership.
Students at NASC are taught the requirements and skills needed to be successful in their new careers.
Shelstad joined the Navy six months ago.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to travel and make something of my life,” said Shelstad.
According to Shelstad, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Puyallup.
“Growing up, I learned respect for people,” said Shelstad. “I had a lot of jobs prior to joining and being able to learn from different people is helpful to be successful in life.”
“Growing up, I learned respect for people,” said Shelstad. “I had a lot of jobs prior to joining and being able to learn from different people is helpful to be successful in life.”
NASC provides educational foundation in technical training, character development and professional leadership to prepare Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and partner nations Officer and Enlisted to be the combat quality aviation professionals their nation needs.
NASC is comprised of four schoolhouses: Aviation Training School (ATS), Aviation Enlisted Aircrew Training (AEATS), Aviation Rescue Swimmer School (ARSS) and Aviation Water Survival School (AWS), which provide instruction in 14 different curricula. In fiscal year 2021, ATS staff conducted 2,250 hours of classroom instruction and 17,095 hours of flight instruction; graduated 1,140 pilots and 217 Naval Flight Officers. AEATS graduated 1,237 students, ARSS graduated 245 students and AWS, including Detachment Swim Sites Norfolk and Pearl Harbor provided training for 6,479 students.
NASC is comprised of four schoolhouses: Aviation Training School (ATS), Aviation Enlisted Aircrew Training (AEATS), Aviation Rescue Swimmer School (ARSS) and Aviation Water Survival School (AWS), which provide instruction in 14 different curricula. In fiscal year 2021, ATS staff conducted 2,250 hours of classroom instruction and 17,095 hours of flight instruction; graduated 1,140 pilots and 217 Naval Flight Officers. AEATS graduated 1,237 students, ARSS graduated 245 students and AWS, including Detachment Swim Sites Norfolk and Pearl Harbor provided training for 6,479 students.
Serving in the Navy means Shelstad is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is important to national defense because we are a major deterrent from attacks from our advisory’s,” said Shelstad.
Shelstad and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I’m most proud of how far I have come physically since I have joined and the relationships I have made here,” said Shelstad.
As Shelstad and other sailors continue to train and perform the mission they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy has given me a sense of stability and has broadened my view of the world and the people on it,” added Shelstad.
The Naval Education and Training Command is the U.S. Navy’s Force Development pillar and largest shore command. Through its “Street to Fleet” focus, Naval Education and Training Command recruits civilians and transforms them into skilled warfighters ready to meet the current and future needs of the U.S. Navy.
“The Navy is important to national defense because we are a major deterrent from attacks from our advisory’s,” said Shelstad.
Shelstad and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I’m most proud of how far I have come physically since I have joined and the relationships I have made here,” said Shelstad.
As Shelstad and other sailors continue to train and perform the mission they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy has given me a sense of stability and has broadened my view of the world and the people on it,” added Shelstad.
The Naval Education and Training Command is the U.S. Navy’s Force Development pillar and largest shore command. Through its “Street to Fleet” focus, Naval Education and Training Command recruits civilians and transforms them into skilled warfighters ready to meet the current and future needs of the U.S. Navy.