By Mr. Dusty Good
Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tom Gagnier
NORFOLK – A 2010 Westover High School graduate and Fayetteville, North Carolina, native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Expeditionary Strike Group 2 (ESG 2).
Petty Officer 2nd Class Raichell Turner is an operations specialist with the group operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.
A Navy operations specialist operates radar, navigation, and communication equipment in a ship’s combat information center.
“I like that my job makes me feel like I am at the center of everything,” said Turner. "Whatever mission is happening, you know what's going on or what is going to happen."
Revel credits her success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in her hometown of Fayetteville.
“Growing up in Fayetteville taught me how to survive,” said Turner.
ESG 2 was in 2007 as an integrated Navy and Marine Corps headquarters staff of 76 personnel and 23 subordinate commands. The mission of the command is to provide timely, operational, amphibious expertise in support of national tasking to sustain maritime security and defense of the nation.
“I like the camaraderie of this command,” said Turner. "I work with some great officers and enlisted people who come together and support and help each other."
Though there are many ways for a sailor to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Revel is most proud of achieving the rank of petty officer 2nd class.
“When I came into the Navy I didn't have any discipline and there was a lot I had to learn,” said Turner. "It molded me into a better person and allowed me to make rank."
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Turner has found reward in service.
“I can teach the junior sailors that I meet from my mistakes and make them better,” Turner said. "I can pass along the knowledge and the wisdom that I have learned."