BOSTON - Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Fowler, an alumnus of Camden County High School in Kingsland, Georgia, is one of more than 60 sailors celebrating America’s 249 years of independence while serving aboard USS Constitution, the Navy’s oldest commissioned warship.
Fowler graduated from Camden County High School in 2011.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Kingsland.
“Growing up, the culture of the Navy and its hard work ethic has always been instilled in me,” Fowler said. “This trait has helped me succeed in the Navy as a leader.”
Fowler joined the Navy 13 years ago. Today, Fowler serves as a logistics specialist.
“I joined the Navy to have the opportunity to be stationed on board the USS Constitution,” Fowler said. “I’m big into naval history, and it’s always been a goal of mine to be stationed at such a unique assignment. I also had different family members who served in the Navy, and I wanted to follow in their footsteps.”
Launched from a Boston shipyard in October 1797, Constitution is the only surviving vessel of the Navy’s original six frigates and is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat. The ship earned the nickname “Old Ironsides” during the War of 1812 after British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull. Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured or destroyed 33 enemy vessels in its nearly 60 years of active service.
Now, 227 years after its launch, Constitution’s primary mission is education and outreach, welcoming more than 500,000 visitors aboard each year. Its crew of more than 60 sailors is hand-picked to preserve and protect Constitution, while promoting naval history, maritime heritage and raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence. The ship’s original missions of defending American interests and protecting sea lanes to ensure commerce remain at the forefront of the Navy’s mission today.
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.
Fowler has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is making the rank of petty officer first class and being stationed on board the USS Constitution,” Fowler said. “Being a petty officer first class here comes with being in a very unique leadership role, and being able to do it here with a command that has a lot of junior sailors gives me a lot of opportunities to mentor and train them when they go out into the fleet.”
Fowler 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 has provided me with the ability to grow and develop into the person that I wanted to be and to influence others to be better people,” Fowler said.
Fowler is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank Master Chief Robert Chapman, Master Chief Leonor Rust and Chief James Hallihan,” Fowler said. “They have offered me the most mentorship and have always been the most trustworthy when I have needed them the most.”
Fowler plans to continue their education and rise through the ranks in the Navy.
“My goal is to make the rank of chief petty officer and eventually get a master's degree in museum studies,” Fowler added.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Fowler graduated from Camden County High School in 2011.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Kingsland.
“Growing up, the culture of the Navy and its hard work ethic has always been instilled in me,” Fowler said. “This trait has helped me succeed in the Navy as a leader.”
Fowler joined the Navy 13 years ago. Today, Fowler serves as a logistics specialist.
“I joined the Navy to have the opportunity to be stationed on board the USS Constitution,” Fowler said. “I’m big into naval history, and it’s always been a goal of mine to be stationed at such a unique assignment. I also had different family members who served in the Navy, and I wanted to follow in their footsteps.”
Launched from a Boston shipyard in October 1797, Constitution is the only surviving vessel of the Navy’s original six frigates and is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat. The ship earned the nickname “Old Ironsides” during the War of 1812 after British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull. Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured or destroyed 33 enemy vessels in its nearly 60 years of active service.
Now, 227 years after its launch, Constitution’s primary mission is education and outreach, welcoming more than 500,000 visitors aboard each year. Its crew of more than 60 sailors is hand-picked to preserve and protect Constitution, while promoting naval history, maritime heritage and raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence. The ship’s original missions of defending American interests and protecting sea lanes to ensure commerce remain at the forefront of the Navy’s mission today.
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.
Fowler has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is making the rank of petty officer first class and being stationed on board the USS Constitution,” Fowler said. “Being a petty officer first class here comes with being in a very unique leadership role, and being able to do it here with a command that has a lot of junior sailors gives me a lot of opportunities to mentor and train them when they go out into the fleet.”
Fowler 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 has provided me with the ability to grow and develop into the person that I wanted to be and to influence others to be better people,” Fowler said.
Fowler is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank Master Chief Robert Chapman, Master Chief Leonor Rust and Chief James Hallihan,” Fowler said. “They have offered me the most mentorship and have always been the most trustworthy when I have needed them the most.”
Fowler plans to continue their education and rise through the ranks in the Navy.
“My goal is to make the rank of chief petty officer and eventually get a master's degree in museum studies,” Fowler added.