SAN DIEGO – Fireman Jordan Peterson, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, serves the U.S. Navy with Defense Innovation Unit TWELVE operating out of San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne |
Peterson joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Peterson serves as a Navy engineman.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to grow as a person and meet new people,” said Peterson.
Growing up in Jacksonville, Peterson attended Englewood High School and graduated in 2019. Today, Peterson uses the same skills and values learned in Jacksonville to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I was taught the importance of hard work,” said Peterson.
That lesson continues to help Peterson while serving in the Navy.
California has thirty-two military bases within its borders, which is more than any other state. According to Navy officials, Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps’ bases are clustered most heavily around San Diego.
Serving in the Navy means Peterson 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.
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.”
Peterson and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest naval accomplishment was my first time being out at sea because that's where I learned the most,” said Peterson. "It was a really cool experience."
As Peterson 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.
“To me, serving in the Navy means I have the chance to contribute to our country’s freedom and have the chance to be a part of something bigger than myself,” added Peterson.