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 |
Jacquelin Bussell, a 1983 McClain High School graduate and native of Lexington, Mississippi, 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 security cooperation program manager, Bussell is responsible for insuring that the Navy can safely navigate the ocean and the skies. She works with other countries to ensure that we are able to work together to complete tasks and have similar capabilities.
Bussell credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Lexington.
“I learned growing up at home that everybody is family and everybody is welcome,” said Bussell. “We treat everyone like family and I extend that hospitality to my military service members.”
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.”
Bussell 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, Bussell is most proud of being awarded as Force Civilian of the Year.
“I was honored with being awarded Civilian of the Year for the work I did with our international partners and visitors,” said Bussell.
Working with the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Bussell, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Bussell is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My husband did 24 years in the Air Force, my son is active duty in the Air Force, my sister served in the Air Force and three brother-in-law's served in the Air Force as well, so we have a military minded family,” said Bussell.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Bussell and other members know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
"Working with the Navy means supporting the military so that the force can go out and do their job and not worry about if things back here are going well,” added Bussell. “The ability to travel and experience the world at this command is like no other. I am able to meet a lot of people in those travels and experience different cultures.”
As a security cooperation program manager, Bussell is responsible for insuring that the Navy can safely navigate the ocean and the skies. She works with other countries to ensure that we are able to work together to complete tasks and have similar capabilities.
Bussell credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Lexington.
“I learned growing up at home that everybody is family and everybody is welcome,” said Bussell. “We treat everyone like family and I extend that hospitality to my military service members.”
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.”
Bussell 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, Bussell is most proud of being awarded as Force Civilian of the Year.
“I was honored with being awarded Civilian of the Year for the work I did with our international partners and visitors,” said Bussell.
Working with the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Bussell, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Bussell is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My husband did 24 years in the Air Force, my son is active duty in the Air Force, my sister served in the Air Force and three brother-in-law's served in the Air Force as well, so we have a military minded family,” said Bussell.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Bussell and other members know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
"Working with the Navy means supporting the military so that the force can go out and do their job and not worry about if things back here are going well,” added Bussell. “The ability to travel and experience the world at this command is like no other. I am able to meet a lot of people in those travels and experience different cultures.”