SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 3rd Class Makayla Nazien, a native of West Palm Beach, Florida, serves aboard USS Jack H. Lucas, a U.S. Navy warship operating out of San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Nazien graduated from Palm Beach Lakes Community High School in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in West Palm Beach.
“Growing up, I learned to stay motivated and strong at all times,” Nazien said. “It’s helped me keep a positive mental model during hard times.”
Nazien joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Nazien serves as a boatswain’s mate.
“I joined the Navy to gain discipline and kick-start my adult life,” Nazien said. “I wanted to travel the world and to take advantage of the education benefits.”
Jack H. Lucas is named for Marine Corps Pfc. Jack Lucas, who served in the Marines during World War II and earned the Medal of Honor for his heroism at the Battle of Iwo Jima after saving the lives of three Marines when he was just 17 years old. Lucas is the youngest Marine, and the youngest service member in World War II, to be awarded the United States’ highest military honor for valor.
Jack H. Lucas is a Navy destroyer, a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
More than 300 sailors serve aboard Jack H. Lucas. Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.
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.
Nazien has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest moment so far in my naval career is making rank and working on the flight deck,” Nazien said. “It’s a good qualification for my rate and rank. I like dealing with aviation.”
Nazien serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy is a way to make my family proud and progress greatly in ways I thought I wouldn’t,” Nazien said.
Nazien is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I want to thank Chief Boatswain’s Mate Terrance Thompson for understanding and believing in me,” Nazien added. “I also want to thank Logistics Specialist 1st Class Jemelia Blunt for being a good mentor and giving good advice. Finally, I want to thank my parents, Cherica Nazien and Mankeson Nazien, for supporting me in everything I’ve done in my career path.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in West Palm Beach.
“Growing up, I learned to stay motivated and strong at all times,” Nazien said. “It’s helped me keep a positive mental model during hard times.”
Nazien joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Nazien serves as a boatswain’s mate.
“I joined the Navy to gain discipline and kick-start my adult life,” Nazien said. “I wanted to travel the world and to take advantage of the education benefits.”
Jack H. Lucas is named for Marine Corps Pfc. Jack Lucas, who served in the Marines during World War II and earned the Medal of Honor for his heroism at the Battle of Iwo Jima after saving the lives of three Marines when he was just 17 years old. Lucas is the youngest Marine, and the youngest service member in World War II, to be awarded the United States’ highest military honor for valor.
Jack H. Lucas is a Navy destroyer, a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
More than 300 sailors serve aboard Jack H. Lucas. Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.
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.
Nazien has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest moment so far in my naval career is making rank and working on the flight deck,” Nazien said. “It’s a good qualification for my rate and rank. I like dealing with aviation.”
Nazien serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy is a way to make my family proud and progress greatly in ways I thought I wouldn’t,” Nazien said.
Nazien is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I want to thank Chief Boatswain’s Mate Terrance Thompson for understanding and believing in me,” Nazien added. “I also want to thank Logistics Specialist 1st Class Jemelia Blunt for being a good mentor and giving good advice. Finally, I want to thank my parents, Cherica Nazien and Mankeson Nazien, for supporting me in everything I’ve done in my career path.”