U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian T. Glunt
PEARL HARBOR –A Washington, Georgia, native and 2014 Johns Family Home School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Kaitlyn Fant has served in the Navy for three years and works as a Navy hospital corpsman serving within the U.S. Pacific Fleet area of operations. The U.S. Pacific Fleet is the world’s largest fleet command, encompassing 100 million square miles, nearly half the Earth’s surface, from Antarctica to the Arctic Circle and from the West Coast of the United States into the Indian Ocean. As a Navy hospital corpsman, Fant is responsible for conducting and administering audiograms for Department of Defense civilians and military personnel.
Fant credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Washington.
“I was taught the importance of hard work and treating people fairly and as I would want to be treated,” said Fant.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
Being stationed in Pearl Harbor, often referred to as the gateway to the Pacific in defense circles, means Fant is serving in a part of the world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
The Pacific is home to more than 50 percent of the world's population, many of the world's largest and smallest economies, several of the world's largest militaries, and many U.S. allies. The Navy has been pivotal in helping maintain peace and stability in the Pacific region for decades.
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Fant is most proud of earning several flag letters of commendation for being a Rifle Team Member, helping to make renovations to the color guard building and contrinuting blood donation two times while in A school.
“For the blood donation you are helping other people and you are providing the extra blood they may need," said Fant. "For the work I do on the rifle team, we are honoring a service member and providing the family with the closure they may need. With the renovations to the color guard building, I am helping the Navy repair their facility so others behind me have a great place to be.”
“I was taught the importance of hard work and treating people fairly and as I would want to be treated,” said Fant.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
Being stationed in Pearl Harbor, often referred to as the gateway to the Pacific in defense circles, means Fant is serving in a part of the world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
The Pacific is home to more than 50 percent of the world's population, many of the world's largest and smallest economies, several of the world's largest militaries, and many U.S. allies. The Navy has been pivotal in helping maintain peace and stability in the Pacific region for decades.
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Fant is most proud of earning several flag letters of commendation for being a Rifle Team Member, helping to make renovations to the color guard building and contrinuting blood donation two times while in A school.
“For the blood donation you are helping other people and you are providing the extra blood they may need," said Fant. "For the work I do on the rifle team, we are honoring a service member and providing the family with the closure they may need. With the renovations to the color guard building, I am helping the Navy repair their facility so others behind me have a great place to be.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Fant, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Fant is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My father was in the Navy, my grandpa and two of my uncles served too,” said Fant. “I plan to carry on the legacy with my generation and hopefully with my children as well. My dad inspired me to join the Navy, through his service to our country.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Fant and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means carrying on the legacy my grandfather and father started and hope my kids have," added Fant. "You should want to protect your country because who better to protect our country than ourselves.”