MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Etienne Nikiema, a former resident of Silver Spring, Maryland, is serving aboard USS Winston S. Churchill, a U.S. Navy warship, operating out of Mayport, Florida.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Growing up in Burkina Faso, Africa, Nikiema graduated from Lycee Provincial De Zorgho in 2017 and joined the Navy five years ago. Additionally, Nikiema earned a Master of Law from Maitrise En Droit De L’Universite De Rennes Law School in Rennes, France, and a Master’s in Software Engineering from Georgetown University.
“I joined the Navy for the military background as a U.S. citizen and for the benefits it has to offer,” said Nikiema.
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 Nikiema 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 global force that empowers the entire U.S. Armed Forces,” said Nikiema. “The Navy protects land, air and sea, unlike any other branch.”
Nikiema and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is pushing myself as a person and becoming more resilient in life,” said Nikiema.
As Nikiema and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“The Navy gives me a sense of pride and service,” said Nikiema. “I’m part of the one percent of our population that is doing what many don’t or can’t do.”
Nikiema is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my wife, Ines, my kids, Noah, Grace and Imelda, and all my good friends who help keep it together when I am away,” added Nikiema.