PENSACOLA, Fla. – Airman Apprentice Ashley Dukes, a native of Orlando, Florida, serves the U.S. Navy at Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) in Pensacola, Florida.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
As a student at NATTC Dukes 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.
Dukes joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Dukes serves as an aircrew survival equipmentman.
“I joined the Navy to gain stability and get on my own two feet,” said Dukes. “Joining the Navy was a step in the right direction to jumpstart my career and a way to travel and experience new things in my life.”
According to Dukes, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Orlando.
“Growing up, I learned to stay competitive with myself and always strive to better myself by learning as much as possible and finding the good in every situation,” said Dukes.
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 Dukes 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.
“The Navy is important to national security because it protects the sea and maintains peace at sea,” said Dukes.
Dukes and the Sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm proud of learning to use my voice and becoming a motivator. Prior to the Navy I usually took the back seat,” said Dukes. “In boot camp, the girls would ask me ‘What's the affirmation of the day?’ I am now recognized for motivating others during physical training and school related activities.”
As Dukes 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 to me being an active member in society and doing a good deed not only for myself but for my country as well,” added Dukes.
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.