JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Maral Baxter serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Hanchar |
Baxter immigrated from Mongolia to Florida in 2007, and her mother, Oyunbileg Shytle, currently resides in Orlando, Florida.
Baxter joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Baxter serves as an aviation maintenance administrationman.
“I was looking for educational benefits,” Baxter said. "I'm currently pursuing a degree in computer networking and cybersecurity."
Members of HSM-74 fly and maintain the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform. The Navy MH-60R is able to perform many different missions. Some of the most common operations include strikes on maritime targets, submarine hunting and attack, electronic warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuations and supply support.
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.
Baxter has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I'm proud of making my current rank as quickly as I have,” Baxter said.
Baxter serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“I like helping others, and I'm grateful for the support system we have in the Navy,” Baxter said. "I earned my U.S. citizenship in July of 2020. I'm proud to be part of this organization and to serve my country. "
Baxter is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my dad, Jargalsaikhan Erdenee, for helping me grow up into the person I am today and showing me the way,” Baxter said. ”He served in the Mongolian Army, so I'm sort of carrying on a family tradition of military service. I want to thank my mom because she's the most supportive person to me and everyone. I'm grateful for all she has taught me, especially when I immigrated to the United States. She taught me the language and culture here, so I would not have been able to make it without her."