Thursday, December 12, 2019

Deltona Native Promoted to Petty Officer Third Class

(NORFOLK, Va.) A Deltona, Florida, native was promoted to the rank of petty officer third class aboard the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Dec. 9.

Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Conner Houghtaling, a 2016 graduate of Deltona High School, was one of 140 Sailors to receive a promotion to the next paygrade.

Sailors were advanced based on a number of factors such as evaluations, exam scores, time in rate, awards and pass not advanced points.

Capt. Kyle Higgins, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower’s commanding officer, congratulated the Sailors.

“This takes a lot of hard work, a lot of determination, moral fortitude, grit and resiliency,” said Higgins. “Thank you for the jobs that you do, thank you for the leadership you provide. You’ve earned it, keep it.”

Houghtaling said he was honored to be selected.

"It feels great,” he said. “It’s nice to feel upward momentum in your workplace.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower is currently underway conducting carrier qualifications in the Atlantic Ocean.