PENSACOLA, Fla. – Airman Francisdon Dexter Cabatic, a native of the Philippines, 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, Cabatic 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.
Cabatic joined the Navy five months ago. Today, Cabatic serves as an aviation ordnanceman.
“I used to be a registered nurse but I was trying to find a career that fit me better,” said Cabatic. “I wanted to do something different so that I could work outside and do something that would help me be more physically fit. Joining the Navy later in life hasn't really been a factor for me and I’m glad I decided to join.”
According to Cabatic, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in the Philippines.
“I’m a first-generation immigrant to the United States and growing up, I learned patience and perseverance,” said Cabatic. “I used those lessons during boot camp as they trained me to be physically capable of the things that were ahead of me.”
NATTC’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.
The training center’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 Cabatic 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 greatest impact the Navy has on national defense is its ability to protect the freedom of waterways across the world,” said Cabatic.
Cabatic and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service
“I’m most proud of joining the Navy and working with people who care about me and my family,” said Cabatic. “They make sure that it’s not just me who is taken care of, but that my family is as well.”
As Cabatic 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.
“To me, serving my country is about keeping freedoms that our forefathers established,” added Cabatic. “It’s about providing safety and security of the country for us and future generations.”
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.