SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 2nd Class James Stewart, a native of Hartford, Connecticut, serves aboard USS Essex, a U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship operating out of San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joseph Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Stewart graduated from Bloomfield High School in 2001.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Hartford.
“I learned growing up how to take any situation and make the most of it,” Stewart said. "I come from a very humble beginning where I didn't have a lot of resources. The Navy provided the opportunity to pursue new experiences while also remaining adaptable to what may come.”
Stewart joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Stewart serves as a quartermaster.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to provide stability for my family,” Stewart said. "I also had immediate family who had served in the military and saw the opportunities it presented them. My uncle and father served and serving was my way of continuing their legacy. Lastly, I wanted to pursue all the travel opportunities the Navy presented.”
Amphibious assault ships, such as USS Essex, project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the Amphibious Readiness Group / Expeditionary Strike Group.
Resembling a small aircraft carrier, amphibious assault ships offer the Marine Corps with a means of ship-to-shore movement, provide humanitarian assistance and support major combat operations. More than 1,000 serve aboard USS Essex with an additional 1,200 Marines capable of being embarked.
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.
Stewart has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is getting my surface warfare device and becoming LPO of my division,” Stewart said. "We had a first class that left and I was assigned a leadership role early in my career. It was a lot of work at first but it was an amazing learning opportunity on how to give back to the sailors below me. Despite all the requirements of my job to be able to manage my time and still receive my surface warfare device proved that all my hard work paid off."
Stewart serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
“Serving means continuing my family's legacy,” Stewart said. "The Navy gives me the opportunity to carry on the family name while providing for my family. I provide the resources and role models my kids need growing up. The Navy has done so much for me so to have the opportunity to give back by promoting freedom and democracy around the world has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The Navy has provided the opportunity to serve something higher than myself."
Stewart is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I would like to thank my wife and kids first and foremost,” Stewart added. "I also want to thank my mom and dad for providing me with all the resources I needed to get me where I am today. Lastly, I want to thank Chief Quartermaster Dunlap, Master Chief Quartermaster Hubgood, Quartermaster 1st Class Jones, Quartermaster 1st Class Sampson, Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Swafford, Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class Kane, Lt.j.g. Castillo and Lt. Cmdr. Obrist for their guidance, support and mentorship.”