SAN DIEGO – Seaman Apprentice Miloud Djotni, a native of Mission Viejo, California, was inspired to join the Navy for opportunities in developing a career discipline and independence.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
Now, one year later, Djotni serves with the Scorpions of Helicopter Maritime Squadron (HSM) 49, working with one of the Navy’s most advanced helicopters at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego.
“I like this squadron because it's about the people,” Djotni said. “There's always certain people that always have advice whenever I need anything. It's a professional environment but I know I can always approach anyone about anything and people are here to help.”
Djotni, a 2017 graduate of Capistrano Valley High School, is a logistics specialist with HSM 49, a versatile squadron that’s capable of completing a number of important missions for the Navy with the MH-60R “Seahawk” helicopter.
“My job is essentially preventing death because I work in the tool room and it's important that nothing is lost because it would put lives in danger and jeopardize the mission.” said Djotni.
Djotni credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Mission Viejo.
“I learned I have to take 100 percent ownership of my life,” said Djotni.
HSM 49's primary mission is to conduct sea control operations in open-ocean and coastal environments as an expeditionary unit. This includes hunting for submarines, searching for surface targets over the horizon and conducting search and rescue operations.
According to Navy officials, the MH-60R is the Navy's new primary maritime dominance helicopter. Greatly enhanced over its predecessors, the MH-60R helicopter features a glass cockpit and significant mission system improvements, which give it unmatched capability as an airborne multi-mission naval platform.
As the U.S. Navy's next generation submarine hunter and anti-surface warfare helicopter, the MH-60R "Romeo" is the cornerstone of the Navy's Helicopter Concept of Operations. Anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare are the MH-60R's primary missions. Secondary missions include search and rescue, medical evacuation, vertical replenishment, naval surface fire support, communications relay, command, control, communications, command and control warfare and non-combat operations.
Serving in the Navy means Djotni 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 the nation needs 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, Djotni is most proud of earning his Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS) wings.
“When I think about high school I don't remember myself being super motivated to study anything, but I don't think I can remember when I studied for something that important or that big,” said Djotni.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Djotni and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“I think serving in the military is like a lifestyle,” Djotni said. “I'm living and working in service to others. Just because I take off my uniform after work doesn’t mean I'm not still a sailor. I'm still going to uphold the values of the Navy and be a role model to the best of my ability.”
“I like this squadron because it's about the people,” Djotni said. “There's always certain people that always have advice whenever I need anything. It's a professional environment but I know I can always approach anyone about anything and people are here to help.”
Djotni, a 2017 graduate of Capistrano Valley High School, is a logistics specialist with HSM 49, a versatile squadron that’s capable of completing a number of important missions for the Navy with the MH-60R “Seahawk” helicopter.
“My job is essentially preventing death because I work in the tool room and it's important that nothing is lost because it would put lives in danger and jeopardize the mission.” said Djotni.
Djotni credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Mission Viejo.
“I learned I have to take 100 percent ownership of my life,” said Djotni.
HSM 49's primary mission is to conduct sea control operations in open-ocean and coastal environments as an expeditionary unit. This includes hunting for submarines, searching for surface targets over the horizon and conducting search and rescue operations.
According to Navy officials, the MH-60R is the Navy's new primary maritime dominance helicopter. Greatly enhanced over its predecessors, the MH-60R helicopter features a glass cockpit and significant mission system improvements, which give it unmatched capability as an airborne multi-mission naval platform.
As the U.S. Navy's next generation submarine hunter and anti-surface warfare helicopter, the MH-60R "Romeo" is the cornerstone of the Navy's Helicopter Concept of Operations. Anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare are the MH-60R's primary missions. Secondary missions include search and rescue, medical evacuation, vertical replenishment, naval surface fire support, communications relay, command, control, communications, command and control warfare and non-combat operations.
Serving in the Navy means Djotni 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 the nation needs 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, Djotni is most proud of earning his Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS) wings.
“When I think about high school I don't remember myself being super motivated to study anything, but I don't think I can remember when I studied for something that important or that big,” said Djotni.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Djotni and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“I think serving in the military is like a lifestyle,” Djotni said. “I'm living and working in service to others. Just because I take off my uniform after work doesn’t mean I'm not still a sailor. I'm still going to uphold the values of the Navy and be a role model to the best of my ability.”