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 |
Lt. Sierra Bollinger, a 2011 graduate of First Coast High School of Jacksonville, 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 a Navy meteorology and oceanography officer, Bollinger is responsible for hydrography which is like mapping the ocean bottom.
“We help other warfighters and their assets to give us an edge up on war,” said Bollinger.
Bollinger credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Jacksonville.
“Just because you are in a tough situation, doesn’t mean you need to stay in it and you have the ability to change it,” said Bollinger.
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.”
Bollinger 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 for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Bollinger is most proud of obtaining her surface warfare pin.
“Took me three and a half years of studying, hardwork and pushing outside of my network to gain help and knowledge of other people,” said Bollinger.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Bollinger, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Bollinger is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My mom is a retired chief yeoman, stepdad is a retired senior chief aircrewman and my dad is a retired senior chief,” said Bollinger. “My mom used to bring us in to her office and we got to see her interact as a chief and it was cool to see her in charge.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Bollinger 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 a lot of different things to me, from carrying on the family tradition to helping the people I grew up with and others who can't serve,” said Bollinger.
As a Navy meteorology and oceanography officer, Bollinger is responsible for hydrography which is like mapping the ocean bottom.
“We help other warfighters and their assets to give us an edge up on war,” said Bollinger.
Bollinger credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Jacksonville.
“Just because you are in a tough situation, doesn’t mean you need to stay in it and you have the ability to change it,” said Bollinger.
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.”
Bollinger 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 for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Bollinger is most proud of obtaining her surface warfare pin.
“Took me three and a half years of studying, hardwork and pushing outside of my network to gain help and knowledge of other people,” said Bollinger.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Bollinger, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Bollinger is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My mom is a retired chief yeoman, stepdad is a retired senior chief aircrewman and my dad is a retired senior chief,” said Bollinger. “My mom used to bring us in to her office and we got to see her interact as a chief and it was cool to see her in charge.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Bollinger 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 a lot of different things to me, from carrying on the family tradition to helping the people I grew up with and others who can't serve,” said Bollinger.