Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel, Navy Office of Community Outreach
PENSACOLA, Fla. – Airman Recruit David Mcdougall, a native of Wellington, Florida, serves the U.S. Navy at Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) in Pensacola, Florida.
As a student at NATTC, Mcdougall 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.
Mcdougall joined the Navy four months ago. Today, Mcdougall serves as an aviation boatswain's mate.
“I was encouraged to join the Navy because of my family,” said Mcdougall. “My fiancés dad was in the Navy and he inspired me to join.”
According to Mcdougall, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Wellington.
“Growing up, I learned to pay attention to small details, to be productive and behave in a proper manner at all times,” said Mcdougall.
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 Mcdougall 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 we help keep our country free and our allies safe,” said Mcdougall.
Mcdougall and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“Currently, I’m most proud of graduating from boot camp,” said Mcdougall.
As Mcdougall 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 a lot to me because it has helped me become a better version of myself, and it allows me to protect the ones I love and my country,” added Mcdougall.
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.