Virginia Beach, Va. – Petty Officer 3rd Class Justin Nason, a native of Big Piney, Wyoming, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Naval Air Station Oceana Dam Neck Annex.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Megan Wollam |
Nason joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Nason serves as a fire controlman.
“I wanted to carry on a family tradition of serving,” said Nason. "My mom, my grandfather, and great grandfathers all served in the Navy. I'm the sixth generation to serve in the Navy. My mom was a hospital corpsman.”
“I'd like to send a shoutout to my grandparents back in Wyoming,” said Nason. "Thank you for your support over these many years and for supporting my decision to serve in the military."
Nason relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Big Piney to succeed in the military.
“In Wyoming, especially in small towns, there are always people willing to help others,” said Nason.
These lessons have helped Nason while serving in the Navy.
The Dam Neck site is located on Virginia's Atlantic shore near where the first Jamestown settlers landed and where the infamous Blackbeard and other pirates were said to have buried treasures. This area is also where battles of the Revolutionary War were fought, where Blue and Gray clashed during the Civil War, and where German submarines sank American shipping vessels within yards of the beach during World War II.
Today, the U.S. Navy uses the site for training and support services to meet fleet requirements.
"Serving in the Navy means Nason is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy."
“The Navy's presence deters outside threats,” said Nason. "We provide a shield around our country to make an attack much less likely."
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 ready sailors and a strong Navy.
“Maintaining the world’s best Navy is an investment in the security and prosperity of the United States, as well as the stability of our world,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “The U.S. Navy—forward deployed and integrated with all elements of national power—deters conflict, strengthens our alliances and partnerships, and guarantees free and open access to the world’s oceans. As the United States responds to the security environment through integrated deterrence, our Navy must continue to deploy forward and campaign with a ready, capable, combat-credible fleet.”
Nason and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I’m thankful that I’m able to translate what I've learned in the Navy to teach younger children the possibility of using technology,” said Nason. "I volunteer to teach technology to sixth graders virtually with my friend who's a teacher in Cheyenne."
As Nason and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy is a family tradition,” added Nason. "It's an honor to support this great nation and continue the path that others who have gone before me."