JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville, Florida, native serves at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville located in Jacksonville, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Patricia Rodriguez |
“I’m a retired Navy sonar tech and saw the movie The Silence of the Deep in the recruiter's office, and that inspired me to join the Navy,” said Thomas. “I liked something about the mystery of the job.”
Growing up in Jacksonville, Thomas attended Terry Parker High School and graduated in 1978. Today, Thomas finds the values in Jacksonville similar to those needed to succeed in the military.
“I’m from Jacksonville,” said Thomas. “Jacksonville is uniquely diverse because it is a military town with all walks of life. I learned there are lots of possibilities of knowledge to enjoy life, and I learned how they enjoy life.”
These lessons have helped Thomas while serving at NAS Jacksonville.
On Oct. 15, 1940, NAS Jacksonville was officially commissioned, and became the first part of the Jacksonville Navy complex that would also include NAS Cecil Field and Naval Station Mayport.
According to Navy officials, the mission of NAS Jacksonville is to enable warfighter readiness focused directly on support of operational units aboard the base and throughout the fleet.
NAS Jacksonville consists of more than 100 tenant commands and is one of the largest employers in the area. It contributes to the growth and prosperity of Northeast Florida with an economic impact of more than $2 billion annually.
Serving in the Navy means Thomas 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.
“The Navy and all the other branches of service come together for one unified response and one common goal,” said Thomas.
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities, and capacity.
“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”
There are many accomplishments that come with military service, and Thomas is most proud of performing submarine operations in the Caribbean.
“We encountered an engineering problem where the submarine had to emergency surface,” said Thomas. “We quickly identified the issue within 10 minutes and resolved the problem.”
As Thomas and other sailors continue to train, they take pride in serving their country.
“I’m proud of having the ability to safeguard what we have fought to earn,” added Thomas. “The camaraderie we have while in uniform and working alongside the active-duty members. Knowing that tradition continues between the chiefs' mess and the wardroom.”