MAYPORT, Fla. - Mr. David Holmes, a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer and native of Denton, Texas, serves aboard Naval Station (NAVSTA) Mayport in Mayport, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian Neigel, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Holmes, a 1996 graduate of Billy Ryan High School, joined the Navy 20 years ago.
“I joined the Navy to find a career and travel the world,” said Holmes. "The Navy's slogan back then, 'Accelerate Your Life', really resonated with me."
Today, Holmes relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Denton to succeed in the military.
“I learned, mostly from my dad, to put in a hard day's work,” said Holmes. "A strong work ethic is what I brought to the Navy and carried with me for 20 years."
These lessons have helped Holmes while serving in the Navy.
NAVSTA Mayport is one of three major Navy installations in the Jacksonville area. Mayport is home to a busy seaport as well as an air facility, and has an 8,000 ft. runway capable of handling any aircraft in DoD inventory.
The mission of NAVSTA Mayport is to sustain and enhance warfighter readiness. The Navy at Mayport covers 3,409 acres and is the third largest naval facility in the continental United States. NAVSTA Mayport is home to more than 70 tenant commands and is home to the U.S. Navy's Fourth Fleet and the Navy’s first Triton squadron, according to Navy officials.
NAVSTA Mayport was recently selected as the 2023 recipient of the Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence. Put simply, Mayport was selected as the best out of all U.S. Navy installations Fleet-wide.
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 Holmes 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 a mechanism to keep the sea lanes open for international trade and enforces international maritime law, which some countries don't always follow,” said Holmes.
Holmes and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“Retiring from the Navy and knowing that I could sleep soundly at night and that I gave one hundred percent to my sailors, is what I’m most proud of,” said Holmes. "I took being a chief seriously, and part of that is looking out for your junior sailors, mentoring them and passing on wisdom."
As Holmes 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 for me evolved over 20 years of service,” said Holmes. "I joined to find a better career and direction. Once I found that, I discovered my service to the Navy was larger than myself once I got to know the people around me and saw them as family."
Holmes is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I'd like to thank my dad, David W. Holmes, for being the catalyst for me to join the Navy,” said Holmes. "I came to work at his office one day and there were two Navy recruiters waiting to talk to me."
“There are too many to thank to fit in one list,” added Holmes. "There have been people of all ranks, both officer and enlisted, who have had a significant impact on my life and career."