MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Amariah Joseph, a native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, serves aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Marinette, in Mayport, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st 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.
Joseph, a 2015 graduate of Alfred M. Barbe High School, joined the Navy seven years ago.
“I joined to travel and to have a steady income,” said Joseph. "I also wanted to earn a degree without building up a lot of debt."
Today, Joseph relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Lake Charles to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I learned southern hospitality,” said Joseph. "Learning how to treat others and be kind makes it easier for people to treat you the same in return.”
These lessons have helped Joseph while serving in the Navy.
Marinette 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 Joseph 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 U.S. Navy plays a big part in foreign relationships and supporting national defense,” said Joseph. "Because of that, we are able to keep peace and freedom around the world."
Joseph and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“The thing I'm most proud of in the Navy has been to not give up on myself,” said Joseph. "Being able to commit to what I do and do it well is something to be proud of."
As Joseph 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 I’m able to provide for my family,” said Joseph. "It also means being able to have opportunities both inside and outside of the Navy. I have been able to earn my associate's and bachelor's degree in cyber security all while serving.”
Joseph is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mother, Shun Clark,” added Joseph. “If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have been able to join. She is my biggest supporter and even moved down here with me to help take care of my daughter. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”