MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Sstarr Okafor, a native of Columbus, Ohio, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Naval Station Mayport.
Okafor graduated from Reynoldsburg High School Encore Academy in 2018.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Columbus.
“The main thing I carry with me from home is don’t lose what you earned,” Okafor said. “There are a lot of opportunities in my hometown. Many of those opportunities include going to college, which I didn’t have the funds for when I graduated from high school.”
Okafor joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Okafor serves as an operations specialist.
“I joined the Navy to create a good life for myself,” Okafor said. “I assessed my situation and realized that no one’s going to give me a handout in life. I needed to make a life for myself. I wanted to be part of the one percent who serve their country, knowing I would be proud of myself and others would be proud of me as well.”
Since its commissioning in 1942, Naval Station Mayport has grown to become the third largest fleet concentration area in the United States. Boasting both a large harbor and an 8,000-foot runway capable of handling any military aircraft in use, Naval Station Mayport is home to more than 80 commands, including 22 ships and three helicopter squadrons.
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.
Okafor has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud that I’ve become self-sufficient in the Navy,” Okafor said.
Okafor serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“The Navy offers the opportunity to travel and meet others from different cultures,” Okafor said. “This experience of being exposed to new things has helped shape who I am today.”
Okafor is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents and the friends I’ve made along the way,” Okafor said.
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Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Hanchar |
Okafor graduated from Reynoldsburg High School Encore Academy in 2018.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Columbus.
“The main thing I carry with me from home is don’t lose what you earned,” Okafor said. “There are a lot of opportunities in my hometown. Many of those opportunities include going to college, which I didn’t have the funds for when I graduated from high school.”
Okafor joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Okafor serves as an operations specialist.
“I joined the Navy to create a good life for myself,” Okafor said. “I assessed my situation and realized that no one’s going to give me a handout in life. I needed to make a life for myself. I wanted to be part of the one percent who serve their country, knowing I would be proud of myself and others would be proud of me as well.”
Since its commissioning in 1942, Naval Station Mayport has grown to become the third largest fleet concentration area in the United States. Boasting both a large harbor and an 8,000-foot runway capable of handling any military aircraft in use, Naval Station Mayport is home to more than 80 commands, including 22 ships and three helicopter squadrons.
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.
Okafor has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud that I’ve become self-sufficient in the Navy,” Okafor said.
Okafor serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“The Navy offers the opportunity to travel and meet others from different cultures,” Okafor said. “This experience of being exposed to new things has helped shape who I am today.”
Okafor is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents and the friends I’ve made along the way,” Okafor said.