PENSACOLA, Fla. – Airman Zackary Burns, a native of East Palestine, Ohio, serves the U.S. Navy at Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) in Pensacola, Florida.
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Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anna-Liesa Hussey Navy Office of Community Outreach |
As a student at NATTC, Burns is serving among sailors and Marines developing the skills needed to be successful naval aviation warfighters.
Students at NATTC are taught the requirements and skills needed to be successful in their new careers.
Burns joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Burns serves as an aviation electronics technician.
“My mom and other members of my family served and I am the first one to serve in the Navy,” said Burns. “I just wanted to serve.”
According to Burns, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in East Palestine.
“Growing up, I learned how to listen and think before you speak and,” said Burns. “Those two lessons have helped me so far in the Navy and will help me going forward.”
Naval Air Technical Training Center’s mission is to provide world class professional aviation warriors to the Navy fleet supporting combat readiness anywhere on the globe, while taking good care of our people, families and being good neighbors and stewards in the city of Pensacola and the surrounding region.
NATTC’s leaders and experts develop, deliver and leverage technology to optimize performance of our Navy, Marine Corps and foreign national students. We provide the most up-to-date and relevant training available to our sailors and Marines ensuring Naval aviation’s success.
Serving in the Navy means Burns is part of a team 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.
“We are the first line of defense of the homeland,” said Burns. “That is a pretty important role in national security.”
Burns and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I received a Letter of Appreciation from the commanding officer for helping restore a plane outside the officer building,” said Burns. “Preserving the Navy's history is important to me.”
As Burns and other sailors continue to train and perform the mission they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means giving up my freedoms for others to have theirs, and, if needed, I would give my life so they can have theirs,” added Burns.
The Naval Education and Training Command is the U.S. Navy’s Force Development pillar and largest shore command. Through its “Street to Fleet” focus, Naval Education and Training Command recruits civilians and transforms them into skilled warfighters ready to meet the current and future needs of the U.S. Navy.