U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian T. Glunt
PEARL HARBOR –A Westfield Center, Ohio, native and 2017 Cloverleaf High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Hospitalman Dakota Bukszar has served in the Navy for one year and works as a Navy hospitalman 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 hospitalman, Bukszar is responsible for ensuring patients are physically and mentally able to deploy and help people keep the ships in good health.
Bukszar credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Westfield Center.
“I learned early to handle myself and how to be respectful to others,” said Bukszar.
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 Bukszar 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, Bukszar is most proud of earning Bravo Zulu for being an outstanding customer service representative, especially from customers on the comment cards.
“It means I made an impact on someone else’s day,” said Bukszar.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Bukszar, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Bukszar is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“Two of my cousins are in the Air Force,” said Bukszar. “I plan to carry on the legacy of being in the military.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Bukszar and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I am serving in something bigger than myself,” added Bukszar.
“I learned early to handle myself and how to be respectful to others,” said Bukszar.
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 Bukszar 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, Bukszar is most proud of earning Bravo Zulu for being an outstanding customer service representative, especially from customers on the comment cards.
“It means I made an impact on someone else’s day,” said Bukszar.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Bukszar, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Bukszar is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“Two of my cousins are in the Air Force,” said Bukszar. “I plan to carry on the legacy of being in the military.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Bukszar and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I am serving in something bigger than myself,” added Bukszar.