SAN DIEGO – Airman Kalil Hicks, a native of Atlanta, joined the Navy to challenge himself.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
“Thinking I couldn't do it made me want to push and overcome my own self doubt,” said Hicks.
Now, one year later, Hicks serves aboard one of the Navy’s amphibious ships at Naval Base San Diego.
“It's fun. It's not hard work. We stay busy but there's a lot of people to talk to so it's not boring,” said Hicks.
Hicks, a 2017 graduate of Carrollton High School, is an aviation boatswain's mate aboard USS Essex, one of four Wasp-class amphibious assault ships in the Navy, homeported in San Diego.
“My day-to-day job is plane handling and the upkeep of the hangar bay,” said Hicks.
Hicks credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Atlanta.
“No one is going to care if you don't care," said Hicks. "You have to care about yourself and what you're doing.”
Now, one year later, Hicks serves aboard one of the Navy’s amphibious ships at Naval Base San Diego.
“It's fun. It's not hard work. We stay busy but there's a lot of people to talk to so it's not boring,” said Hicks.
Hicks, a 2017 graduate of Carrollton High School, is an aviation boatswain's mate aboard USS Essex, one of four Wasp-class amphibious assault ships in the Navy, homeported in San Diego.
“My day-to-day job is plane handling and the upkeep of the hangar bay,” said Hicks.
Hicks credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Atlanta.
“No one is going to care if you don't care," said Hicks. "You have to care about yourself and what you're doing.”
Essex is designed to deliver U.S. Marines and their equipment where they are needed to support a variety of missions ranging from amphibious assaults to humanitarian relief efforts. Designed to be versatile, the ship has the option of simultaneously using helicopters, Harrier jets, and Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCAC), as well as conventional landing craft and assault vehicles in various combinations.
Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice.
Sailors' jobs are highly varied aboard Essex. More than 1,000 men and women make up the ship's crew, which keeps all parts of the ship running smoothly, from handling weaponry to maintaining the engines. An additional 1,200 Marines can be embarked.
Serving in the Navy means Hicks 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.
America is a maritime nation, and 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, Hicks is most proud of being nominated for Bluejacket of the Quarter as an airman apprentice and being selected for the security reaction force.
“I take that as a big deal that my department nomminated me to compete against all the seamen and airman on board the ship for Bluejacket of the Quarter," said Hicks. "Being on the SRF holds a higher purpose. You have lot more responsibility standing armed watches. You don't know if something is going to happen at any moment.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Hicks and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy is different,"said Hicks. "It's so big a full of opportunities. It makes me want to move up. It motivates me to prosper.”