CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – Petty Officer 1st Class (Aviation Warfare) Jennifer M. Farris, a native of Arlington, Washington, is an aviation electronics technician who serves as the base career counselor and education officer at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Located in an austere environment, Camp Lemonnier is a U.S. Navy base located in the Horn of Africa and is the only enduring U.S. military base on the continent of Africa.
 |
Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti provides, operates, and sustains superior service in support of combat readiness and security of ships, aircraft, detachments and personnel for regional and combatant command requirements, enabling operations and providing stability in the Horn of Africa while fostering positive U.S.-African Nations relations.
In recognition of Women’s Equality Day, August 26, Farris acknowledges the importance of having equal right among genders. Females in the Navy are paid the same as male counterparts and in 2016, the last off-limits Navy job – the service’s elite special operations forces unit, the SEALs – was opened to women applicants.
“I’m glad that we have equal rights, many of the jobs that were predominantly male in the military now have more women joining their ranks,” Farris explained. “I’ve never been one to look at the male/female perspective, I’ve always felt the best at their job should be acknowledged.”
Farris, a 1999 graduate of Arlington High School, credits her success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Arlington.
“Being the oldest of three children I was given more responsibility than many of my peers,” Farris said. “I learned early on the importance of structure as well as adjusting to different personalities.”
A key element of the Navy that the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is dependent upon 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 near a coast, and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Camp Lemonnier is a key Navy base and a vital asset to the United States as our location in the Horn of Africa overlooks the world’s fourth busiest waterway,” said Capt. Ken Crowe, commanding officer of Camp Lemmonier, Djibouti. “Education and professional development can get easily overlooked with the long hours that are demanded of many service members here. It is my job to ensure and remind the service members that their personal goals here are equally important, including Petty Officer Farris.”
Farris plays an important role 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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Farris is most proud of receiving a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
“Coming from a dual military household, it took coordination on both parts and many long hours but I’m happy that I was able to see it through,” said Farris.
Farris comes from a history of military service and is proud to continue a family tradition.
“My grandfathers were service members—Army and Navy—and both served in World War II,” Farris said. “My husband recently retired from the Navy as well, so I’ve very proud of the military lineage I’ve become a part of.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Farris and other sailors stationed at Camp Lemonnier know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“As a career counselor you see many different types of service members from all diverse walks of life, and in helping members better themselves, I tend to learn from them as well,” Farris said.
In recognition of Women’s Equality Day, August 26, Farris acknowledges the importance of having equal right among genders. Females in the Navy are paid the same as male counterparts and in 2016, the last off-limits Navy job – the service’s elite special operations forces unit, the SEALs – was opened to women applicants.
“I’m glad that we have equal rights, many of the jobs that were predominantly male in the military now have more women joining their ranks,” Farris explained. “I’ve never been one to look at the male/female perspective, I’ve always felt the best at their job should be acknowledged.”
Farris, a 1999 graduate of Arlington High School, credits her success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Arlington.
“Being the oldest of three children I was given more responsibility than many of my peers,” Farris said. “I learned early on the importance of structure as well as adjusting to different personalities.”
A key element of the Navy that the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is dependent upon 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 near a coast, and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Camp Lemonnier is a key Navy base and a vital asset to the United States as our location in the Horn of Africa overlooks the world’s fourth busiest waterway,” said Capt. Ken Crowe, commanding officer of Camp Lemmonier, Djibouti. “Education and professional development can get easily overlooked with the long hours that are demanded of many service members here. It is my job to ensure and remind the service members that their personal goals here are equally important, including Petty Officer Farris.”
Farris plays an important role 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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Farris is most proud of receiving a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
“Coming from a dual military household, it took coordination on both parts and many long hours but I’m happy that I was able to see it through,” said Farris.
Farris comes from a history of military service and is proud to continue a family tradition.
“My grandfathers were service members—Army and Navy—and both served in World War II,” Farris said. “My husband recently retired from the Navy as well, so I’ve very proud of the military lineage I’ve become a part of.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Farris and other sailors stationed at Camp Lemonnier know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“As a career counselor you see many different types of service members from all diverse walks of life, and in helping members better themselves, I tend to learn from them as well,” Farris said.