MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Madisyn Adas, a native of Englewood, Colorado, serves aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Nantucket, in Mayport, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
PCU is a designation used by the U.S. Navy to describe crews aboard vessels under construction prior to official commissioning.
Adas, a 2021 graduate of Arapahoe High School, joined the Navy two years ago.
“I joined the Navy to travel and for educational opportunities,” said Adas.
Today, Adas relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Englewood to succeed in the military.
“The lesson I learned growing up is that you need to have the motivation to do what you need to do,” said Adas.
These lessons have helped Adas while serving in the Navy.
Nantucket will be 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 Adas 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 instrumental in maintaining the security of our coasts and protecting the ideals of freedom and democracy,” said Adas.
Adas and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm most proud of making the rank to petty officer third class,” said Adas. “I can now be a mentor and example to junior sailors.”
As Adas 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 has made my family very proud and excited at the opportunities it will allow me,” said Adas.
Adas is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mother, Lisa Scott, for pushing me to do more with my life,” added Adas.