SAN DIEGO – Cmdr. Jameel McDaniel, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, serves in the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne |
“I joined the Navy because I grew up in an area where the motto was 'join the Navy, see the world,'” said McDaniel. "That was part of why I joined. I also wanted help funding my education."
McDaniel joined the Navy 22 years ago. Today, McDaniel serves with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN THREE (HSM 73) in San Diego, working with one of the Navy’s most advanced helicopters, the MH-60R Seahawk.
Growing up in Cincinnati, McDaniel attended Walnut Hills High School and graduated in 1993. Today, McDaniel uses the same skills and values learned in Cincinnati to succeed in the military.
“I come from the rust belt of America where hard work and systematic processes ensure individuals and organizations achieve results,” said McDaniel.
These lessons have helped McDaniel while serving in the Navy.
Navy pilots and aircrew at HSM 73 constantly train to ensure they are prepared for peacetime and warfighting missions. According to Navy officials, the MH-60R is the most capable multi-mission helicopter available in the world today. It is used for a variety of missions, including hunting and tracking enemy submarines, attacking enemy ships, search and rescue, drug interdiction, delivering supplies and supporting the Navy’s special operations forces.
"The BattleCats of HSM 73 proudly provide advanced mission capability and readiness to America's Navy,” said Cmdr. Rich “Speed” Christoff, HSM 73 commanding officer. “Our sailors come from every corner of the nation and the world, bringing their expertise and fighting spirit to a unit that I'm extremely proud to command."
Serving in the Navy means McDaniel is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus, rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy ensures the maritime sea domane is open and free, which allows not only the U.S., but foreign assets to move freely through the waters,” said McDaniel. “It also projects power through its presence above, on and below the sea, ensuring security for all of the earth's inhabitants."
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.”
McDaniel and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest naval accomplishment is taking an ordinary kid and helping them obtain qualifications that not only help the Navy, but also may have originally appeared unattainable to them,” said McDaniel. “This allows an ordinary kid like me to learn how to fly an aircraft and lead 300 sailors."
As McDaniel and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means providing peace of mind to my fellow Americans, so they can enjoy the comforts of their home without worrying about any oppression,” added McDaniel.