Virginia Beach, Va. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Sha'Quanda Stephenson, a native of Rich Square, North Carolina, 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 |
Stephenson joined the Navy 14 years ago. Today, Stephenson serves as a religious program specialist.
“I joined the Navy looking for opportunities to travel the world and pursue educational opportunities,” said Stephenson. "I have been to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Singapore, Hong Kong, Spain and Portugal."
Growing up in Rich Square, Stephenson attended Northampton County High School-East and graduated in 2009.
“I'd like to send a shoutout to my son, Carter,” said Stephenson. "You're who I do this for. To my mother, Pamela, I want to say, I want to make you proud. Also, to my brother, Lamont, who passed last year, I hope I'm continuing to make you proud."
Today, Stephenson relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Rich Square to succeed in the military.
“I was in Junior ROTC in high school,” said Stephenson. "Chief Warrant Officer Dixon taught me to always do what's right no matter who's looking. He also taught me to always speak up for myself but do it tactfully."
These lessons have helped Stephenson 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 Stephenson 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 covers our maritime areas, so we maintain a presence to help prevent other countries from shutting down a free flow of goods,” said Stephenson. "The Navy protects the seaways around the world."
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.”
Stephenson and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I earned Sailor of Quarter earlier this year,” said Stephenson. "It was an honor, and I was surprised because I'm naturally a shy person who doesn't like to be put up for these types of things. However, my chief put me up for it, and I was thankful to receive this recognition."
As Stephenson and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.“Serving the Navy means that you're prepared to fight if need be,” added Stephenson. "You've accepted the challenge to go in heads first, guns blazing if it comes down to it. I also like being part of something bigger than myself."