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 |
Capt. Damon Dixon, a 1990 Miramonte High School graduate and native of Orinda, California, 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 maritime operation center director, Dixon is responsible for coordinating support for 2,500 people across the enterprise to provide tailored environmental support for naval joint operations, including aircraft submarines and ships; to enable them to succeed in combat operations with a focus on weather and oceanography.
Dixon credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Orinda.
“Growing up I was involved with sports and that's where I learned to lead and work as a team,” said Dixon. “Those go hand-in-hand with being in the Navy because different tasks may require for you to lead others or work alone.”
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.”
Dixon 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, Dixon is most proud of developing sailors and officers and watching them succeed.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Dixon, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Dixon is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“I had a grandfather who served as a chief petty officer but I joined because I wanted to serve my country,” said Dixon.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Dixon and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
"It's very humbling to be able to serve our country and to defend the freedom that has been established and to keep it alive so others can keep those liberties that we fought for,” added Dixon. “I like the emphasis on developing leaders. Throughout my 25 year career, I was told the Navy was a leadership laboratory but at this command I really have had the chance to help sailors grow to their full potential.”
As a maritime operation center director, Dixon is responsible for coordinating support for 2,500 people across the enterprise to provide tailored environmental support for naval joint operations, including aircraft submarines and ships; to enable them to succeed in combat operations with a focus on weather and oceanography.
Dixon credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Orinda.
“Growing up I was involved with sports and that's where I learned to lead and work as a team,” said Dixon. “Those go hand-in-hand with being in the Navy because different tasks may require for you to lead others or work alone.”
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.”
Dixon 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, Dixon is most proud of developing sailors and officers and watching them succeed.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Dixon, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Dixon is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“I had a grandfather who served as a chief petty officer but I joined because I wanted to serve my country,” said Dixon.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Dixon and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
"It's very humbling to be able to serve our country and to defend the freedom that has been established and to keep it alive so others can keep those liberties that we fought for,” added Dixon. “I like the emphasis on developing leaders. Throughout my 25 year career, I was told the Navy was a leadership laboratory but at this command I really have had the chance to help sailors grow to their full potential.”