SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 2nd Class Jake Phillips, a native of Wildwood, Florida, joined the Navy because he wanted to get college paid for.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
Now, four years later, Phillips serves aboard one of the Navy’s amphibious ships at Naval Base San Diego.
“Serving here is exciting, you usually see something new every single day,” said Phillips.
Phillips, a 2012 graduate of Wildwood High School, is a mass communication specialist aboard USS Essex, one of four Wasp-class amphibious assault ships in the Navy, homeported in San Diego.
“I'm the production supervisor for visual information division and I run the command social media pages,” said Phillips.
Phillips credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Wildwood.
“You've got to work hard,” said Phillips.
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.
“Having Marines aboard, we get to see firsthand how joint operations work,” said Phillips.
Serving in the Navy means Phillips 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, Phillips is most proud of making second class in less than two years.
“It was a recognition of all my hard work,” said Phillips.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Phillips 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 lets me provide a stable life for my family and travel the world,” said Phillips.
“Serving here is exciting, you usually see something new every single day,” said Phillips.
Phillips, a 2012 graduate of Wildwood High School, is a mass communication specialist aboard USS Essex, one of four Wasp-class amphibious assault ships in the Navy, homeported in San Diego.
“I'm the production supervisor for visual information division and I run the command social media pages,” said Phillips.
Phillips credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Wildwood.
“You've got to work hard,” said Phillips.
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.
“Having Marines aboard, we get to see firsthand how joint operations work,” said Phillips.
Serving in the Navy means Phillips 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, Phillips is most proud of making second class in less than two years.
“It was a recognition of all my hard work,” said Phillips.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Phillips 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 lets me provide a stable life for my family and travel the world,” said Phillips.