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. Meredith Ansley, a 2001 Darlington School graduate and native of Rome, Georgia, 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 meteorology and oceanography officer, Ansley is responsible for coming up with sourcing solutions for operations in exercises that take place from the west coast to India. Her team is responsible for getting an asset where it needs to be.
Ansley credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Rome.
“Being committed to what you believe in and dedication will help in getting a task done,” said Ansley. “Never give up on your task and take care of people with a positive can do attitude.”
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.”
Ansley 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, Ansley is most proud of earning her commission as a naval officer.
“Going back to college and earning my degree to become an officer through the STA-21 program was something I really wanted to do,” said Ansley.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Ansley, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Ansley is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“I have several cousins who currently serve and I am proud of them,” said Ansley. “Our generation of the family all signed around the same time to serve.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Ansley 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 has been my life, I've served 16 years for my country and I love doing something that is bigger than myself,” added Ansley. “The people are amazing, we have such a team mentality here and the support you receive is one of a kind.”
As a meteorology and oceanography officer, Ansley is responsible for coming up with sourcing solutions for operations in exercises that take place from the west coast to India. Her team is responsible for getting an asset where it needs to be.
Ansley credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Rome.
“Being committed to what you believe in and dedication will help in getting a task done,” said Ansley. “Never give up on your task and take care of people with a positive can do attitude.”
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.”
Ansley 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, Ansley is most proud of earning her commission as a naval officer.
“Going back to college and earning my degree to become an officer through the STA-21 program was something I really wanted to do,” said Ansley.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Ansley, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Ansley is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“I have several cousins who currently serve and I am proud of them,” said Ansley. “Our generation of the family all signed around the same time to serve.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Ansley 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 has been my life, I've served 16 years for my country and I love doing something that is bigger than myself,” added Ansley. “The people are amazing, we have such a team mentality here and the support you receive is one of a kind.”