NORFOLK, Va. - Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Grippon, a native of Huber Heights, 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 |
Grippon graduated from Wayne High School in 2013.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Huber Heights.
“Growing up, I learned how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable,” Grippon said. “I also learned to take bad news in stride. Bad news can ruin the day, ruin the week, and just keep getting bigger and bigger if you let it. So, you have to take it in stride and keep going.”
Grippon joined the Navy 11 years ago. Today, Grippon serves as an air traffic controller.
“I joined the Navy to see the world, have free college and explore new opportunities,” Grippon said. “My family also has a history with the military so it seemed like a good option. My dad's side is Army and my mom's side is Navy.”
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.
Grippon has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“Making the rank of petty officer first class in under six years is my proudest accomplishment because it often takes sailors a lot longer to do it,” Grippon said.
Grippon 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 being a role model and someone people can look up to,” Grippon said.
Grippon is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my wife, Andrea, for pushing me and challenging me,” Grippon added. “I also want to thank our kids, Aidan and Mabel, for the joy they bring me. Lastly, I want to thank my parents, Mark and Roberta Grippon, for giving me very solid advice and for raising me with the morals necessary to succeed in life.”