VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Jenna Margraff, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81, which operates the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet.
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Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Klineizquierdo |
Margraff graduated from Oak Hill High School in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Cincinnati.
“I come from a blue-collar family, where working hard is ingrained in us,” said Margraff. "I was also in multiple leadership roles in high school where leading by example is important. These values help me achieve my goals in the Navy and help lead the new sailors coming in."
Margraff joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Margraff serves as an aviation machinist's mate.
“My grandpa, Thomas Edward Margraff, served in the Marines during the Vietnam War as an aviation machinist's mate,” said Margraff. "This is the same rate that I have, and he loves talking about the experiences he had in other countries. I wanted to travel the world to have fun stories to share as well."
The Super Hornet is one of the most advanced aircraft in the world, according to Navy officials. The aircraft take off from and land aboard Navy aircraft carriers at sea and are capable of conducting air-to-air combat as well as striking targets on land.
Navy aircraft carriers are designed for a 50-year service life. When the air wing is embarked, the ship carries more than 70 attack fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft, all of which take off from and land aboard the carrier at sea. With more than 5,000 sailors serving aboard, the aircraft carrier is a self-contained mobile airport.
Aircraft carriers are often the first response to a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans.
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Margraff serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
"We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day," said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. "Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs."
Margraff has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I'm proud that my squadron won the Battle “E” award for being the best east-coast squadron in 2022,” said Margraff. "I'm also proud of our nine-and-a-half-month deployment aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Harry S. Truman, where we did multiple NATO operations. I am proud that I was able to help fix and launch jets to protect my family and my country. During the deployment, we visited ports in Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Croatia."
Margraff can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving the Navy means my family is proud of me, especially my little sister, Madeline, who calls me her hero,” said Margraff. "She wrote me letters during my deployment, which meant a lot, even though it made me miss home. My neighborhood is impressed and proud of what I have accomplished and who I'm becoming from my experience in the Navy."
Margraff is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I'd like to thank my parents, Thomas and Erica, for always supporting me in all I do and for always being there for me,” added Margraff.
Margraff joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Margraff serves as an aviation machinist's mate.
“My grandpa, Thomas Edward Margraff, served in the Marines during the Vietnam War as an aviation machinist's mate,” said Margraff. "This is the same rate that I have, and he loves talking about the experiences he had in other countries. I wanted to travel the world to have fun stories to share as well."
The Super Hornet is one of the most advanced aircraft in the world, according to Navy officials. The aircraft take off from and land aboard Navy aircraft carriers at sea and are capable of conducting air-to-air combat as well as striking targets on land.
Navy aircraft carriers are designed for a 50-year service life. When the air wing is embarked, the ship carries more than 70 attack fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft, all of which take off from and land aboard the carrier at sea. With more than 5,000 sailors serving aboard, the aircraft carrier is a self-contained mobile airport.
Aircraft carriers are often the first response to a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans.
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Margraff serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
"We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day," said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. "Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs."
Margraff has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I'm proud that my squadron won the Battle “E” award for being the best east-coast squadron in 2022,” said Margraff. "I'm also proud of our nine-and-a-half-month deployment aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Harry S. Truman, where we did multiple NATO operations. I am proud that I was able to help fix and launch jets to protect my family and my country. During the deployment, we visited ports in Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Croatia."
Margraff can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving the Navy means my family is proud of me, especially my little sister, Madeline, who calls me her hero,” said Margraff. "She wrote me letters during my deployment, which meant a lot, even though it made me miss home. My neighborhood is impressed and proud of what I have accomplished and who I'm becoming from my experience in the Navy."
Margraff is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I'd like to thank my parents, Thomas and Erica, for always supporting me in all I do and for always being there for me,” added Margraff.