SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 2nd Class Nami Dyer, a native of Mabank, Texas, serves aboard a U.S. Navy warship operating out of San Diego, California.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings |
Dyer joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Dyer serves as an aviation ordinanceman aboard USS Makin Island.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to serve my country just like the rest of my family,” said Dyer. "I wanted to be in a place where I can grow and also travel to see the world."
Growing up in Mabank, Dyer attended Mabank High School and graduated in 2013.
Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Mabank.
“My parents have taught me work ethic from an early age and stuck with me ever since,” said Dyer. “I have dealt with a lot of hardships growing up and that has allowed me to remember to always stay positive and to keep pushing. It's like that saying: 'There is always a storm before the calm.’”
These lessons have helped Dyer while serving aboard Makin Island.
Makin Island is an amphibious assault ship. According to Navy officials, these types of warships embark, transport and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions.
Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice.
As a member of the Navy, Dyer is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy contributes to national defense by being a show of force,” said Dyer. "We are present all around the world, which helps our allies feel safe and keeps our adversaries in check."
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
Dyer and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My greatest moment in the Navy, so far, is when I made the rank of second class petty officer,” said Dyer. “The higher salary is really nice but also I felt like I hit a huge stepping stone in my naval career.”
As Dyer and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“The Navy has given me many opportunities to better myself and my future,” added Dyer. “To me, serving has been an honor.”
Dyer is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents for all their support and for raising me to be who I am today,” added Dyer. “I also want to give a shoutout to all my siblings, I love them.”