SAN DIEGO - Lt. Cmdr. Gordon Nash, a native of San Ramon, California, serves aboard USS Abraham Lincoln, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of San Diego, California.
Nash graduated from Monte Vista High School in 2009. Additionally, Nash earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of San Diego in 2013.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in San Ramon.
“We moved to San Ramon just because my parents were looking for a city with a good school district,” Nash said. “My dad took the bad commute so we could live where the schools were solid. We all prioritized education to get to where we are now. San Ramon was a great place to live. We learned to swim and played sports because it was an area where being involved in the community was possible. In the Navy, we’re constantly learning. After I finished school and joined the Navy, I had two years of schooling in the flight pipeline. It doesn’t stop. My high school’s motto was to create lifelong learners, and it’s true.”
Nash joined the Navy 11 years ago. Today, Nash serves as a pilot and assistant to the operations officer.
“I joined the Navy because my grandfather was a naval officer, and it was something that ran in the family,” Nash said. “My dad encouraged me in that direction. It was a dream of his to fly.”
Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s Naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.
According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and combat capability of its air wing.
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.
Nash has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“Becoming an instructor pilot during my first tour is probably what I’m most proud of,” Nash said. “I wasn’t sure I was quite ready to be in that role. I always had this fear that I wasn’t good enough to be an instructor pilot, but they chose me, and it was a huge vote of confidence for me. It’s the most rewarding part of my career. It’s something I’ve enjoyed the most. I helped someone learn to do what they want to do, and at that stage of our career, it’s very much what you want to do.”
Nash 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 tough,” Nash said. “You’re away from home and family and all the roots you’ve got. That’s challenging. I used to hear people say, ‘Thank you for your service,’ and I’d shrug it off. But seeing what my family goes through while I’m away – to me, we call this service because it’s not just a paycheck or job; the whole family has to sacrifice. It’s worth it because it’s important.”
Nash is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife, Rachel,” Nash added. “This is not just my job, this is our family serving the country. That’s not something she ever signed up for, but if she wasn’t on board, we wouldn’t be doing this. My wife and I trust in God because this is a hard thing we’re doing, and we trust that this is what he’s called us to do.”