NORFOLK, Va. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Jordan Jolly, a native of Canal Winchester, Ohio, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, Virginia Capes (FACSFAC VACAPES).
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mark Pena, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East |
Jolly graduated from Canal Winchester High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Canal Winchester.
“My dad taught me, growing up, that if I wanted something, then I had to go after it,” Jolly said. "In the Navy, there are so many opportunities, qualifications, and pins you can earn. You just have to go after them and get them."
Jolly joined the Navy five and a half years ago. Today, Jolly serves as an air traffic controller.
“I joined the Navy because I didn’t want to pay for college, and I didn’t want to stay home,” Jolly said.
Established in 1977, FACSFAC VACAPES maintains the scheduling, control and surveillance of military operating areas and training routes for the northeastern United States. The command now routinely oversees more than 112,000 miles of offshore air, surface and sub-surface operating areas from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island to Charleston, South Carolina.
Known as the “Giant Killers,” sailors assigned to the command provide air traffic control for more than 98,000 sorties each year operating in the expansive special-use airspace. Some of these events include missile exercises, unit-level training, NASA rocket launches, gunnery evolutions and underwater detonation drills.
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.
Jolly has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“Coming home from my deployment aboard USS George W. Bush is my proudest accomplishment because I got to see the world and travel while serving at the same time,” Jolly said. "I am also proud of buying a house at [the age of] 20 which I was able to do because of the Navy."
Jolly 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 means a lot to me,” Jolly said. "On one side, I feel a responsibility to serve and to give back in whatever way I can. On the other hand, it is just like any other job. I just went a different route than most people."
Jolly is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents, Jermiah and Patricia Jolly, for always believing in me and supporting me no matter what I want to do,” Jolly added. "Even though they didn't really want me to join the military, they always supported my decision. I also want to thank my brothers, Noah Riddle and Dakota Jolly, for always being supportive of me and for being people I can talk to, to get my mind off things when I need to."