JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Lt. Julia Kastner, a native of Fairfax Station, Virginia, serves with Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 8 based out of Jacksonville, Florida. The squadron’s primary mission is to undertake maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Kastner, a 2011 graduate of South County High School, joined the Navy seven years ago. Kastner served four years in the Navy Reserves in medical school and three years on active duty.
“I called my grandfather, Navy Reserve Capt. Bill Kastner, when I got into medical school,” said Kastner. “The next day, I had a call from a recruiter that said my grandfather mentioned that I wanted to join the Navy. Medical school is very expensive, so not having the financial burden of medical school loans while also getting experiences most doctors will never have is why I joined the Navy.”
Today, Kastner relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Fairfax Station to succeed in the military.
“My hometown taught me that you can be 9,000 plus miles away in the middle of the Indian Ocean for a year but when you get back, the comfort of home and where you grew up never goes away,” said Kastner.
These lessons have helped Kastner while serving in the Navy.
VP 8 flies the U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft. Designed to secure the U.S. Navy’s future in long-range maritime patrol capability, the P-8A has transformed how the Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance force will man, train, operate and deploy, according to Navy officials. While the aircraft is also equipped with high-quality weapon systems, it also has an open architecture to allow for expansion. P-8A deploy around the globe to monitor the world’s oceans wherever they are needed.
This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as "The First Six," earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.
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 Kastner 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 Kastner.
Kastner and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I’m most proud of being able to spend a year in the middle of the Indian Ocean at a small atoll, Diego Garcia,” said Kastner. “Also, I am proud of having an internship and coming out of the year a more confident practitioner. Knowing I was able to handle medical emergencies with the help of my fellow corpsmen and nurses with very little medical resources, is something I am very proud of.”
As Kastner and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“My patient population is those willing to go overseas and serve their country for freedom,” said Kastner. “It’s rewarding serving those that serve others.”
Kastner is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mom, dad, and sisters, Tina and Carley Kastner, for their unwavering support,” added Kastner. “I would also like to thank my fiancé, Aditya, who has been my rock when things were difficult, especially when I was homesick from being gone for over the past three years.”