MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Ahlik Everett, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, serves aboard one of the country’s most versatile combat ships, USS St. Louis, operating out of Mayport, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green |
Everett, a 2018 graduate of Hopewell High School, joined the Navy over one year ago.
“I joined the Navy for the educational opportunities and to start a family tradition of service,” said Everett.
Today, Everett relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Charlotte to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I've learned to just be yourself no matter where you go,” said Everett. “Being in the Navy pushes me to be a better person back home and a better sailor around the world.”
These lessons have helped Everett while serving in the Navy.
St. Louis is a fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatant that operates in near-shore and open-ocean environments, according to Navy officials. Littoral combat ships integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.
Littoral combat ships are hybrid surface combatants that lead manned-unmanned teams using unmanned aerial systems like the Fire Scout and Expeditionary Ordnance Disposal forces unmanned underwater vehicles. They conduct forward and maritime security missions like the Secretary of Defense Oceania Maritime Security Initiative. The ships also strengthen partnerships through port visits in small island nations like Tahiti and Fiji due to their shallow-depth hull.
According to Navy officials, the path to becoming an LCS sailor is unique and challenging. The culmination of their 18-month training pipeline, sailors qualify on a virtual reality simulator that is nearly identical to the ship. This intense and realistic training pipeline allows sailors to execute their roles and responsibilities immediately upon stepping on board.
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 Everett 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 the strongest naval force in the world,” said Everett. "I have no doubt in my mind that the freedom and democracy that we fight for isn't given but earned."
Everett and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“Born and raised in Charlotte, I never thought I would be on the West Coast,” said Everett. “In high school, I was in the Junior ROTC and on the drill team for four years. When I joined the Navy, I was part of a Color Guard team that participated in a retirement ceremony on a submarine base in San Diego, California. It was an amazing and great experience, and I’m very proud that I was a part of that.”
As Everett and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“The greatest achievement in my life so far is serving in the Navy and making all of my family and friends proud of me,” said Everett.
Everett is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank both my mother, Michelle Everett, and godfather, Richard Santiago, for the love and support they provided me in my decision to join the Navy,” said Everett.
“One of my future goals is to get a bachelor's degree in both anthropology and psychology while serving in the Navy,” added Everett.