PENSACOLA, Fla. - Airman Apprentice Ariana Cabana, a native of Snohomish, 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, Cabana 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.
Cabana joined the Navy five months ago.
“I was inspired to join the Navy for the chance to see the world and learn how people of other nations live their lives,” said Cabana.
According to Cabana, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Snohomish.
“Growing up in my hometown, I learned a lot about how to relate to others,” said Cabana. “This skill has helped me in the Navy by being able to connect with other sailors.”
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.
Serving in the Navy means Cabana 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 aids in national security by defending our oceans,” said Cabana. “We are able to ensure peace of mind and security for our Nation's citizens.”
Cabana and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I’m most proud of graduating boot camp and becoming a sailor,” said Cabana. “It took much strength and independence to leave my loved ones back home.”
As Cabana 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 to me means the opportunity to travel the world performing skilled tasks that I would not have the chance to do in the private sector,” added Cabana.
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.