USS KEARSARGE- Raised in Wildwood, Florida, Airman Isaiah Washington knew they wanted a career path that would make their current and future family proud. After seeing fellow 2022 classmates from the Villages Charter High School choose their own track in life, Washington decided to join the United States Navy.
Currently at their first command, Washington serves as an aviation ordanceman aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge.On the Kearsarge Washington is a part of the weapons department, responsible for inspecting, maintaining and repairing aircraft mechanical and electrical armament/ordnance systems.
“My favorite part about my job is watching the ordnance my crew and I spend hours upon hours building finally get tested,” said Washington. “Although it gets tough coming in every day, I always find a way to put a smile on my crew member faces and complete the tasks at hand.”
Washington’s efforts to always get the task done and be a team first sailor comes from the environment they grew up in.
“One lesson I learned that stuck with me from home is to be patient, grateful and humble,” said Washington. “The support system from my family really showed me the importance of teamwork, along with my high school football team and coaches.”
Washington is proud of building over 300 loads of live ordnance during Kearsarge’s 2022 deployment, as well as becoming a certified first-class swimmer within their first year in the Navy.
After a year in the Navy, Washington believes they chose the right career path and achieved the goal of making their family proud.
“Serving in the Navy to me means honoring those who have gone before me and sacrificed their lives and time with their families to defend this country,” Washington said. “I’d like to thank my parents and my grandparents that have passed. They are the reason I go hard every day and won’t quit.”