Holly native serves with Helicopter Squadron in San Diego

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jennifer Gold, Navy Community Outreach Command

SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 3rd Class Aaron d'Argy, a native of Holly, Michigan, serves in the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California.

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class

 Jesse Hawthorne

“My dad was in the Navy during Vietnam and my brother joined 12 years ago; I was inspired by them,” said d'Argy. “I joined the Navy later in life. It was great not having to balance school and a job. I hope to use my naval service as a pathway to becoming a nurse.”

D'Argy joined the Navy four years ago. Today, d'Argy serves with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron EIGHT (HSC 8) in San Diego, working with one of the Navy’s most advanced helicopters, the MH-60S Seahawk.

Growing up in Holly, d'Argy attended Holly High School and graduated in 2007. Today, d'Argy uses the same skills and values learned in Holly to succeed in the military.

“Growing up I was taught to be the best version of myself possible,” said d'Argy.

That lesson has helped d'Argy while serving in the Navy.

Navy pilots and aircrew at HSC 8 constantly train to ensure they are prepared for peacetime and warfighting missions. The mission set of the MH-60S includes anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, vertical replenishment, logistics support, personnel transport, humanitarian disaster relief, medical evacuation, support to Naval Special Warfare and organic airborne mine countermeasures. MH-60S helicopters are also equipped with the ability to conduct replenishments at sea, search and rescue missions and enable other operations for the carrier strike group.

Serving in the Navy means d'Argy 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 world is 70 percent water,” said d'Argy. “This allows the Navy to move around and protect our assets and keep the shipping lanes open.”

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.”

D'Argy and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“The most rewarding experience I’ve had in the Navy was assisting with the USS John McCain collision while I was an undesignated sailor aboard USS America,” said d'Argy. “I was part of a team to help the sailors through the traumatic event that they experienced.”

As D'Argy 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 reminds me that America is the land of opportunities,” added d'Argy. “It's given me a path to succeed in life and job security. I don’t have to worry about a paycheck, which I know is not a common luxury.”