By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerry Jimenez , Navy Office of Community Outreach
GREAT LAKES, Ill. – Sailors are some of the most highly-trained people on the planet, according to Navy officials, and this training requires highly-dedicated instructors, staff and support. |
| Photo by Lt. Cmdr. Jacob Joy, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
At Naval Service Training Command (NSTC), staff oversee 98 percent of new Navy Accessions, including Recruit Training Command, Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, and Officer Training Command, ensuring officers and sailors enter the fleet tough, disciplined, courageous and trained in five warfighting competencies – firefighting, damage control, seamanship, watchstanding and small arms handling and marksmanship.
Seaman Charles Roberts, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, serves as an information systems technician.
As an information systems technician, Roberts is responsible for data programming, computer analysis and communications.
Roberts joined the Navy one year ago.
“I've always wanted to join the military since I was 11 years old,” said Roberts. “I didn't set my heart on the Navy until I was 27. That's because it was the best of both worlds for being a firefighter and being in the military. In the Navy, everyone is a firefighter. Just like in the Marines, everyone is a rifleman.”
Roberts uses skills and values similar to those found in Atlanta to succeed in the Navy.
“I learned from my family and friends to work hard,” said Roberts. “You do what you need to do, so you can do what you want to do. I also learned respect. In the Navy you have to respect not only the person, but also the rank. The rank is more so because it's a position of authority.”
NSTC’s mission is to transform volunteers into naval service professionals by instilling and reinforcing enduring core values, knowledge, and skills to prepare them for the fleet.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities, and capacity.
“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”
Serving in the Navy means Roberts 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 defends America from all threats via sea, and also allows for safe passage and trade,” said Roberts.
Roberts and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am proud of helping keep people in the Navy,” said Roberts. “When sailors wanted to quit, I helped to motivate them. I learned mostly to listen to others. People just want to be heard.”
As Roberts and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving means taking charge of my life and making myself a better person,” added Roberts. “I know I'm becoming a better person. The Navy has given me direction and allowed me to use my abilities to help someone else.”