MAYPORT, Fla. - Fireman Apprentice Christian Scott, a native of Cape Coral, Florida, is serving aboard USS Winston S. Churchill, a U.S. Navy warship, operating out of Mayport, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel |
Scott, a 2022 graduate of Evangelical Christian School, joined the Navy one year ago.
“I joined the Navy to follow in my father's footsteps,” said Scott. "My father recently passed away and I wanted to do what he did."
Today, Scott relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Cape Coral to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I learned to show up on time and do my job,” said Scott. "I feel like having those characteristics instilled in me from an early age has me ahead of most."
These lessons have helped Scott while serving in the Navy.
Winston S. Churchill is a guided-missile destroyer that provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities. The destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
More than 300 sailors serve aboard Winston S. Churchill. Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.
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 Scott 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.
“The U.S. Navy is instrumental in maintaining the security of our coasts and our values,” said Scott. "We protect our assets and our freedoms."
Scott and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm most proud of my performance in ‘A’ school,” said Scott. "While in ‘A’ school I excelled in every way graduating with the top score in my class.”
As Scott 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 offers me an opportunity to jump-start my life,” said Scott. "I plan on becoming a firefighter when I get out of the Navy and I feel the Navy will help me along that path.”
Scott is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my dad, Lt. Cmdr. Jamie Scott, and mom, Allison Scott, for pushing me in this direction,” said Scott. "They were examples of how a citizen of this country should act."
“I will be getting married in November,” added Scott. "My fiancé makes me happy and pushes me to be a better person."