MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Quincy Sebastian, a native of Hollywood, Florida, is serving aboard USS Winston S. Churchill, a U.S. Navy warship, operating out of Mayport, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Sebastian, a 2019 graduate of South Broward High School, joined the Navy four years ago.
“I joined the Navy to improve myself, and to learn new skills and ways of life,” said Sebastian.
Today, Sebastian relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Hollywood to succeed in the military.
“The lessons I learned from my hometown that have stayed with me while in the Navy are to not complain and to fight things out,” said Sebastian.
These lessons have helped Sebastian while serving in the Navy.
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 Sebastian 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.
Sebastian and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is advancing in rank to petty officer second class,” said Sebastian. “I thought it was impossible because I was around people who were eight-year third classes and I made it in three years. It's hard advancing in rank as a culinary specialist in only three years.”
As Sebastian 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 means to me what it should mean to anyone serving, and that’s being the best you can possibly be,” said Sebastian.
Sebastian is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my stepfather, Dwain Stevens, who encouraged me to join and my mother, Adina Stevens, for her love and support,” said Sebastian. “I would also like to thank Chief Amanda Smith serving on board Winston S. Churchill for her guidance and support in everything that I do.”
“I am going to be a recruit division commander at Great Lakes, Illinois, to lead future sailors in the making and advance to chief petty officer while I am there,” added Sebastian.