NORFOLK, Va. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Garrett Ritter, a native of Mandeville, Louisiana, recently reenlisted in the U.S. Navy during a ceremony held onboard USS James E. Williams (DDG 95), a guided-missile destroyer, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.
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| Petty Officer 2nd Class Garrett Ritter, left, receives reenlistment certificate from Cmdr. Chris Norris, commanding officer of USS James E. Williams. |
Ritter, who has served in the Navy for five years, is an operations specialist responsible for the navigation and maneuvering of Navy ships in maritime traffic.
"What I enjoy most is visiting foreign ports and making close friends along the way," Ritter said.
James E. Williams is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer named in honor of Chief Boatswain's Mate James E. Williams, one of the Navy's most highly decorated enlisted sailors. Guided-missile destroyers are multi-mission surface combatants capable of conducting anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface warfare.
Ritter, a 2014 graduate of William A. Hough High School in Cornelius, North Carolina, joined the Navy for the adventure, college money and the benefits it has to offer. According to Ritter, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Mandeville.
"I learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and the internal drive to finish what you started," Ritter said. "Perseverance is important because when you sign a contract with the Navy, you can't quit. When the ship has a mission, we do it because 'no' is simply not an option. It's important to follow through with everything you do, no matter how hard it is."
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Ritter is most proud of making rank to petty officer second class and earning his surface warfare specialist insignia.
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Ritter, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
"Serving in the Navy is a job that has to get done that not everyone wants to do," Ritter said. "The hours can be extremely long and the work can be challenging but it has to get done, and I take pride in knowing that what I do is important."
"What I enjoy most is visiting foreign ports and making close friends along the way," Ritter said.
James E. Williams is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer named in honor of Chief Boatswain's Mate James E. Williams, one of the Navy's most highly decorated enlisted sailors. Guided-missile destroyers are multi-mission surface combatants capable of conducting anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface warfare.
Ritter, a 2014 graduate of William A. Hough High School in Cornelius, North Carolina, joined the Navy for the adventure, college money and the benefits it has to offer. According to Ritter, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Mandeville.
"I learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and the internal drive to finish what you started," Ritter said. "Perseverance is important because when you sign a contract with the Navy, you can't quit. When the ship has a mission, we do it because 'no' is simply not an option. It's important to follow through with everything you do, no matter how hard it is."
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Ritter is most proud of making rank to petty officer second class and earning his surface warfare specialist insignia.
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Ritter, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
"Serving in the Navy is a job that has to get done that not everyone wants to do," Ritter said. "The hours can be extremely long and the work can be challenging but it has to get done, and I take pride in knowing that what I do is important."