BOSTON - Airman Hunter Nelms, a native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, 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.
Nelms graduated from Harrison High School in 2014.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Colorado Springs.
“Growing up, I learned to be levelheaded, calm and kind to others,” Nelms said. “Even though you may run across people who may treat you wrong, take into consideration what they are going through before you pass judgment. Also, coming from an Olympic city where the elevation is higher than in other cities, your red blood cell count jumps dramatically, which helps you train better physically. This helped me get physically fit and ready for service in the Navy.”
Nelms joined the Navy less than a year ago.
“I joined the Navy to find a better sense of self-purpose in life,” Nelms said. “I always wanted to join the Navy, coming from a military town. I originally wanted to join the Army, but because of my neck tattoos, I couldn’t. I joined the Navy because they accepted me instead. I did, however, have to overcome my fear of water. Overcoming my fear of water gave me a great sense of confidence. I also joined the Navy to support my family back home and to take care of my wife.”
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.
Nelms has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is learning the lessons from the deckplate and my chiefs and shipmates,” Nelms said. “I enjoy knowing that I am made for this type of duty to serve on the Constitution and I am here for a higher sense of purpose and that I’m always being treated well both physically and mentally. I’m also proud of being able to serve on the Constitution and for the ship of the state. It’s the ‘unicorn of all orders.’ It’s a huge starting point for the Navy and from where it all began.”
Nelms 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 wanting to look out for someone else,” Nelms said. “It’s about helping your fellow brother and sister, and having that other family member you never knew you had. It’s also about accomplishing your dreams and goals, and never being on ‘stop’ and always being on ‘go.’ Ultimately, it means the world to me. My world has changed dramatically now. It is such a great sense of pride and honor to be in the Navy.”
Nelms is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to give a shoutout to my late mother, Cynthia, my father, Tracy, my brothers, Deven and Dante, and my sisters, Gloria, Diamond and Unique, for all their love and support,” Nelms said. “Lastly, I would like to thank my auntie, Nora, because she’s taking care of all my family back home.”
Nelms has short and long term goals for their career in the Navy.
“I would like to continue to be that ‘lending ear’ and ‘heart’ to people,” Nelms added. “I would also like to leave this command as a petty officer third class, go to ‘A’ School and prepare and establish a good life for my upcoming twins. Eventually, later on in my naval career, I would like to go to Officer Candidate School.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Nelms graduated from Harrison High School in 2014.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Colorado Springs.
“Growing up, I learned to be levelheaded, calm and kind to others,” Nelms said. “Even though you may run across people who may treat you wrong, take into consideration what they are going through before you pass judgment. Also, coming from an Olympic city where the elevation is higher than in other cities, your red blood cell count jumps dramatically, which helps you train better physically. This helped me get physically fit and ready for service in the Navy.”
Nelms joined the Navy less than a year ago.
“I joined the Navy to find a better sense of self-purpose in life,” Nelms said. “I always wanted to join the Navy, coming from a military town. I originally wanted to join the Army, but because of my neck tattoos, I couldn’t. I joined the Navy because they accepted me instead. I did, however, have to overcome my fear of water. Overcoming my fear of water gave me a great sense of confidence. I also joined the Navy to support my family back home and to take care of my wife.”
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.
Nelms has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is learning the lessons from the deckplate and my chiefs and shipmates,” Nelms said. “I enjoy knowing that I am made for this type of duty to serve on the Constitution and I am here for a higher sense of purpose and that I’m always being treated well both physically and mentally. I’m also proud of being able to serve on the Constitution and for the ship of the state. It’s the ‘unicorn of all orders.’ It’s a huge starting point for the Navy and from where it all began.”
Nelms 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 wanting to look out for someone else,” Nelms said. “It’s about helping your fellow brother and sister, and having that other family member you never knew you had. It’s also about accomplishing your dreams and goals, and never being on ‘stop’ and always being on ‘go.’ Ultimately, it means the world to me. My world has changed dramatically now. It is such a great sense of pride and honor to be in the Navy.”
Nelms is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to give a shoutout to my late mother, Cynthia, my father, Tracy, my brothers, Deven and Dante, and my sisters, Gloria, Diamond and Unique, for all their love and support,” Nelms said. “Lastly, I would like to thank my auntie, Nora, because she’s taking care of all my family back home.”
Nelms has short and long term goals for their career in the Navy.
“I would like to continue to be that ‘lending ear’ and ‘heart’ to people,” Nelms added. “I would also like to leave this command as a petty officer third class, go to ‘A’ School and prepare and establish a good life for my upcoming twins. Eventually, later on in my naval career, I would like to go to Officer Candidate School.”