Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson G. Brown
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Chief Petty Officer Nelida Mack, a Waukegan, Illinois, native, was a single mother looking to support her child.
Now, 15 years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Mack serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
“I find the culture very interesting and I enjoy living in Bahrain,” said Mack.
Mack, a graduate of Waukegan High School, is a yeoman at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“I am responsible for maintaining sailors’ records and ensuring awards are issued to recognize them for their hard work,” said Mack.
Mack credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Waukegan.
“Much like the Navy, my hometown is very diverse,” said Mack. “My family taught me a sense of responsibility and to treat everyone with respect.”
U.S. 5th Fleet directs naval operations to ensure maritime security and stability in the Central Region, which connects the Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean through the western Indian Ocean. They work with partner nations to ensure freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in international waterways.
“It is important to keep our sailors recognized and motivated to accomplish the mission,” said Mack. “Ensuring their records are accurate gives them one less thing to worry about.”
The Navy’s U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of ocean, and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 20 countries, includes three critical choke points; the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
“This is a big difference in the culture compared to the United States,” said Mack.
Serving in the Navy means Mack is part of a 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.
A key element of the Navy is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, 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.
“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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Mack is most proud her selection as a chief petty officer.
“It is such a major career milestone,” said Mack. “It shows that the Navy put trust in me to lead junior sailors.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Mack and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“The Navy has pushed me beyond any limits I thought I had, “said Mack. “I am proud to serve my country.”
“I find the culture very interesting and I enjoy living in Bahrain,” said Mack.
Mack, a graduate of Waukegan High School, is a yeoman at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“I am responsible for maintaining sailors’ records and ensuring awards are issued to recognize them for their hard work,” said Mack.
Mack credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Waukegan.
“Much like the Navy, my hometown is very diverse,” said Mack. “My family taught me a sense of responsibility and to treat everyone with respect.”
U.S. 5th Fleet directs naval operations to ensure maritime security and stability in the Central Region, which connects the Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean through the western Indian Ocean. They work with partner nations to ensure freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in international waterways.
“It is important to keep our sailors recognized and motivated to accomplish the mission,” said Mack. “Ensuring their records are accurate gives them one less thing to worry about.”
The Navy’s U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of ocean, and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 20 countries, includes three critical choke points; the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
“This is a big difference in the culture compared to the United States,” said Mack.
Serving in the Navy means Mack is part of a 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.
A key element of the Navy is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, 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.
“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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Mack is most proud her selection as a chief petty officer.
“It is such a major career milestone,” said Mack. “It shows that the Navy put trust in me to lead junior sailors.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Mack and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“The Navy has pushed me beyond any limits I thought I had, “said Mack. “I am proud to serve my country.”