MAYPORT, Fla. - Senior Chief Petty Officer Quintin Bright, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, 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, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Bright, a 1999 graduate of Hanahan High School, joined the Navy 22 years ago.
“I joined the Navy to better myself as a person,” said Bright. "I have become more well-rounded since joining."
Today, Bright relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Charleston to succeed in the military.
“My hometown taught me hard work,” said Bright. "I learned that you grind until you complete something and to never give up."
These lessons have helped Bright 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 Bright 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 Navy is critical to National Defense because of our ability to project power anywhere in the world and ability to deter adversaries,” said Bright.
Bright and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest moment is when I was selected to be a chief petty officer,” said Bright. "I am also proud of being named Independent Duty Corpsman of the Year."
As Bright and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving means a lot to me,” said Bright. "It has given me opportunities to experience things I would not have otherwise."
Bright is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mom,” added Bright. "My mom helped me make the decision to join the Navy."