STENNIS, Ms. – Most Americans rely on weather forecasts to plan their daily routine. The U.S. Navy is no different. With numerous ships, submarines and airplanes deployed around the world, sailors and civilians serving with the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, advise Navy leaders about the impact of ocean and atmospheric conditions on future operations.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Heidi Cheek |
Petty Officer 2nd Class Mac McDaniel, a native of Cocoa Beach, Florida, is one of those responsible for providing timely, comprehensive and tactically relevant information for ships, submarines, aircraft and other commands operating throughout the globe.
As an aerographer's mate, McDaniel is responsible for using features of the ocean environment as well as the atmosphere, to offer forecaster recommendations for the U.S. Navy.
McDaniel credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Cocoa Beach.
“From my hometown, I learned persistence and patience, both of which definitely help serving in the Navy,” said McDaniel.
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.
“Naval Oceanography defines and applies the physical environment for the entire Navy fleet from the bottom of the ocean to the stars,” said Rear Adm. John Okon, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. “There isn't a plane that flies, a ship or a submarine that gets underway without the sailors and civilians of Naval Oceanography.”
McDaniel is playing an important part 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 to earn distinction in a command, community and career, McDaniel is most proud of earning his Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist qualification in July 2019.
“I took advantage of the times I had available to complete this qualification,” said McDaniel. "It took countless days of studying and networking out of my rate around the aircraft carrier, all while aiding my team in obtaining their qualifications during deployment."
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for McDaniel, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. McDaniel is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“Both of my grandfathers have served,” said McDaniel. "One was in the Army as a tanker during World War II, and the other was in the Navy during the Pacific campaign. They always told me about their travels and how proud they were to have the opportunity to serve their country. To carry on that tradition is important for me to give my maximum efforts, as they definitely did."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, McDaniel 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 is very rewarding,” said McDaniel. "The camaraderie between my team at sea, as well as the opportunity to travel the world, is something significant to me."
As an aerographer's mate, McDaniel is responsible for using features of the ocean environment as well as the atmosphere, to offer forecaster recommendations for the U.S. Navy.
McDaniel credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Cocoa Beach.
“From my hometown, I learned persistence and patience, both of which definitely help serving in the Navy,” said McDaniel.
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.
“Naval Oceanography defines and applies the physical environment for the entire Navy fleet from the bottom of the ocean to the stars,” said Rear Adm. John Okon, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. “There isn't a plane that flies, a ship or a submarine that gets underway without the sailors and civilians of Naval Oceanography.”
McDaniel is playing an important part 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 to earn distinction in a command, community and career, McDaniel is most proud of earning his Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist qualification in July 2019.
“I took advantage of the times I had available to complete this qualification,” said McDaniel. "It took countless days of studying and networking out of my rate around the aircraft carrier, all while aiding my team in obtaining their qualifications during deployment."
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for McDaniel, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. McDaniel is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“Both of my grandfathers have served,” said McDaniel. "One was in the Army as a tanker during World War II, and the other was in the Navy during the Pacific campaign. They always told me about their travels and how proud they were to have the opportunity to serve their country. To carry on that tradition is important for me to give my maximum efforts, as they definitely did."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, McDaniel 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 is very rewarding,” said McDaniel. "The camaraderie between my team at sea, as well as the opportunity to travel the world, is something significant to me."