SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 3rd Class Ozius Harden, a native of Davenport, Washington, serves the U.S. Navy at Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) 1 operating out of San Diego, California.
Harden graduated from Reardan High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Davenport.
“My dad was a brick mason and general contractor and that is where I was first introduced to construction,” Harden said. “Those life skills have transferred well into being a Seabee.”
Harden joined the Navy 5 1/2 years ago. Today, Harden serves as a utilitiesman.
“I joined the Navy to explore the world outside of my hometown,” Harden said.
ACB 1’s primary mission is to provide logistics over-the-shore support for Amphibious Ready Group, Marine Expeditionary Force and Maritime Prepositioning Force operations, including ship-to-shore transportation of combat cargo, bulk fuel/water and tactical camp operations.
With a combination of Seabee and fleet rates, ACB-1 is skilled at offloading equipment through Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) operations, as well as providing camp support, perimeter defense, and limited construction support. Fleet rates qualify as craft masters and deck engineers and are proficient in operating and maintaining INLS. Seabee rates such as builders, steelworkers, electricians, equipment operators, construction mechanics and engineering aides provide construction services. Additional deployable Seabee units include Naval Mobile Construction Battalions, Construction Battalion Maintenance Units, and Underwater Construction Teams, which all make up the U.S. Naval Construction Forces.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Harden has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is earning my Seabee Combat Warfare pin,” Harden said. “I am proud of that because it is something that takes work, dedication and a lot of hours to complete.”
Harden serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“For me, serving in the Navy means financial stability,” Harden said.
Harden is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife, Sarah, for being there and supporting me through those deployment months,” Harden added.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Harden graduated from Reardan High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Davenport.
“My dad was a brick mason and general contractor and that is where I was first introduced to construction,” Harden said. “Those life skills have transferred well into being a Seabee.”
Harden joined the Navy 5 1/2 years ago. Today, Harden serves as a utilitiesman.
“I joined the Navy to explore the world outside of my hometown,” Harden said.
ACB 1’s primary mission is to provide logistics over-the-shore support for Amphibious Ready Group, Marine Expeditionary Force and Maritime Prepositioning Force operations, including ship-to-shore transportation of combat cargo, bulk fuel/water and tactical camp operations.
With a combination of Seabee and fleet rates, ACB-1 is skilled at offloading equipment through Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) operations, as well as providing camp support, perimeter defense, and limited construction support. Fleet rates qualify as craft masters and deck engineers and are proficient in operating and maintaining INLS. Seabee rates such as builders, steelworkers, electricians, equipment operators, construction mechanics and engineering aides provide construction services. Additional deployable Seabee units include Naval Mobile Construction Battalions, Construction Battalion Maintenance Units, and Underwater Construction Teams, which all make up the U.S. Naval Construction Forces.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Harden has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is earning my Seabee Combat Warfare pin,” Harden said. “I am proud of that because it is something that takes work, dedication and a lot of hours to complete.”
Harden serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“For me, serving in the Navy means financial stability,” Harden said.
Harden is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife, Sarah, for being there and supporting me through those deployment months,” Harden added.