MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 1st Class Jagannatha Kovie, a native of Alachua, Florida, serves with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 40, based out of Mayport, Florida. The squadron’s primary mission is to conduct sea control operations in open-ocean and coastal environments. This includes hunting for submarines, searching for surface targets over the horizon and conducting search and rescue operations.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green |
Kovie, a 2013 graduate of Santa Fe High School, joined the Navy nine years ago.
“I joined the Navy to serve my country and to give my life some direction in a time that I felt lost,” said Kovie.
Today, Kovie relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Alachua to succeed in the military.
“Accountability and resiliency were drilled into me from a young age,” said Kovie. "When you do something, you have to own it. I learned to work hard and that nothing in life is ever given to you, you have to grind to earn it.”
These lessons have helped Kovie while serving in the Navy.
HSM 40 flies the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. The MH-60R is a twin-engine helicopter used for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, drug interdiction, anti-ship warfare, cargo lift, and special operations, according to Navy officials.
This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as "The First Six," earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy."
Serving in the Navy means Kovie is part of a team 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.
“Our Navy is important to our national defense because it defends our sea lanes throughout the world and allows the safe passage of commercial and civilian traffic,” said Kovie.
Kovie and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is making petty officer first class in six years,” said Kovie. "Not only has this been a huge accomplishment for me but I'm most proud of succeeding in my job and working hard every day.”
As Kovie and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“To me, serving in the Navy means giving back,” said Kove. “It’s about giving my absolute 100 percent when I come to work each day, giving back to the community and earning the paycheck that the taxpayers give me.”
Kovie is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“My parents, Shalini Anand and Keith Kovid, were the most instrumental in me joining the Navy,” said Kovie. “When I joined at 17, they had to sign their permission for me to go in. My parents have always been my biggest supporters throughout my career.”
“I would like to get a college degree in business management and within the next few years, make rank to chief petty officer,” added Kovie.