SAN DIEGO – Seaman Jovan Glover, a native of Hayward, California, wanted the opportunity to move away and see the world.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
Now, one and half years later, Glover serves aboard one of the Navy’s amphibious ships at Naval Base San Diego.
“Life aboard USS Essex is exciting, I get to meet new people, I get to work outside of my rate and learn new jobs that are important to the mission,” said Glover.
Glover, a 2017 graduate of Mount Eden High School, is a yeoman aboard USS Essex, one of four Wasp-class amphibious assault ships in the Navy, homeported in San Diego.
“I am an admin clerk, I process correspondence, awards, evals, and directive for the ship,” said Glover.
Glover credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Hayward.
“I have learned that it is important to be patient," said Glover. "It is important to be respectful to others. Many of my shipmates come from other backgrounds and nationalities.”
“Life aboard USS Essex is exciting, I get to meet new people, I get to work outside of my rate and learn new jobs that are important to the mission,” said Glover.
Glover, a 2017 graduate of Mount Eden High School, is a yeoman aboard USS Essex, one of four Wasp-class amphibious assault ships in the Navy, homeported in San Diego.
“I am an admin clerk, I process correspondence, awards, evals, and directive for the ship,” said Glover.
Glover credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Hayward.
“I have learned that it is important to be patient," said Glover. "It is important to be respectful to others. Many of my shipmates come from other backgrounds and nationalities.”
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.
“The Marines are always ready for the mission at hand,” said Glover.
Serving in the Navy means Glover 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, Glover is most proud of learning his rate to its fullest potential.
“I am becoming a highly skilled yeoman, it is an important rate, and I am dedicated to knowing my job well and doing a good job,” said Glover. “I am most proud of knowing my rate so well because we are often the ones who are overlooked on the ship.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Glover and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Upholding our core values of honor, courage, and commitment is what serving in the Navy means to me,” said Glover.