NORFOLK, Va. - Petty Officer 1st Class Patricia McNichols, a native of Simi Valley, California, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mark Pena, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East |
McNichols graduated from Simi Valley High School in 2001. She then attended San Francisco University, where she graduated in 2006 with a bachelor's degree.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Simi Valley.
"Playing basketball from eighth grade through high school taught me valuable lessons about teamwork and following authority," McNichols said. "I started playing at age eight and continued until I graduated from Simi Valley High School. Basketball taught me essential life skills, including leadership, the importance of hard work, how to deal with adversity, and how to be part of a team."
McNichols joined the Navy 14 years ago. Today, McNichols serves as an aviation electronics technician.
"I wanted a career, and my grandparents met that way," McNichols said. "I joined the Navy because I wanted a career, but the Navy is also the reason my family exists. My grandmother enlisted under the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) program, and my grandfather enlisted as a hospital corpsman. They met while working together as corpsmen, fell in love, and got married."
Members of HSC-5 fly and maintain the MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter within Carrier Air Wing SEVEN (CVW-7). The MH-60S's primary missions are Search and Rescue, Naval Special Warfare Support and Anti-Surface Warfare. Additional missions include logistic support, vertical replenishment, medical evacuation, non-combatant evacuation operations and maritime interdiction operations. In short, HSC-5 "Rescues, Protects and Delivers!"
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.
McNichols has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"My proudest moment in the Navy was when my family was able to come and watch me reenlist," McNichols said. "My parents, sister, and nieces were all there to witness me take the oath of reenlistment and sign the paperwork to commit to another six years. I am also proud that I earned all three of my warfare pins."
McNichols 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 bringing pride to my family and continuing a legacy started by my grandparents," McNichols said. "My grandparents served, and now I’m carrying that tradition forward."
McNichols is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“Thanks to my mom and dad, Jenna and Jim, for loving me and doing the best they could; to my best friend and sister, Kristin Huck, for supporting me and pushing me to continue my career in the Navy; and to my brother-in-law, Jimmy, for putting up with Kristin and my shenanigans when I visit," McNichols said.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Simi Valley.
"Playing basketball from eighth grade through high school taught me valuable lessons about teamwork and following authority," McNichols said. "I started playing at age eight and continued until I graduated from Simi Valley High School. Basketball taught me essential life skills, including leadership, the importance of hard work, how to deal with adversity, and how to be part of a team."
McNichols joined the Navy 14 years ago. Today, McNichols serves as an aviation electronics technician.
"I wanted a career, and my grandparents met that way," McNichols said. "I joined the Navy because I wanted a career, but the Navy is also the reason my family exists. My grandmother enlisted under the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) program, and my grandfather enlisted as a hospital corpsman. They met while working together as corpsmen, fell in love, and got married."
Members of HSC-5 fly and maintain the MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter within Carrier Air Wing SEVEN (CVW-7). The MH-60S's primary missions are Search and Rescue, Naval Special Warfare Support and Anti-Surface Warfare. Additional missions include logistic support, vertical replenishment, medical evacuation, non-combatant evacuation operations and maritime interdiction operations. In short, HSC-5 "Rescues, Protects and Delivers!"
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.
McNichols has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"My proudest moment in the Navy was when my family was able to come and watch me reenlist," McNichols said. "My parents, sister, and nieces were all there to witness me take the oath of reenlistment and sign the paperwork to commit to another six years. I am also proud that I earned all three of my warfare pins."
McNichols 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 bringing pride to my family and continuing a legacy started by my grandparents," McNichols said. "My grandparents served, and now I’m carrying that tradition forward."
McNichols is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“Thanks to my mom and dad, Jenna and Jim, for loving me and doing the best they could; to my best friend and sister, Kristin Huck, for supporting me and pushing me to continue my career in the Navy; and to my brother-in-law, Jimmy, for putting up with Kristin and my shenanigans when I visit," McNichols said.