MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Amen Alshemary, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, serves aboard Naval Station (NAVSTA) Mayport in Mayport, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Bryan Niegel, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Alshemary, a 2017 graduate of Jeffersontown High School, joined the Navy six years ago.
“I joined the Navy to travel, explore and to get a higher education,” said Alshemary.
Today, Alshemary relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Louisville to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I learned that respect is given, as well as earned,” said Alshemary. “You should always treat others as they would want to treat you.”
These lessons have helped Alshemary while serving in the Navy.
NAVSTA Mayport is one of three major Navy installations in the Jacksonville area. Mayport is home to a busy seaport as well as an air facility, and has an 8,000 ft. runway capable of handling any aircraft in DoD inventory.
The mission of NAVSTA Mayport is to sustain and enhance warfighter readiness. The Navy at Mayport covers 3,409 acres and is the third largest naval facility in the continental United States. NAVSTA Mayport is home to more than 70 tenant commands and is home to the U.S. Navy's Fourth Fleet and the Navy’s first Triton squadron, according to Navy officials.
NAVSTA Mayport was recently selected as the 2023 recipient of the Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence. Put simply, Mayport was selected as the best out of all U.S. Navy installations Fleet-wide.
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 Alshemary 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 supports national defense by being a show of force worldwide and through maintaining safe passage through the seas,” said Alshemary.
Alshemary and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest accomplishments are advancing in rank to petty officer third class, receiving my first Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and getting my Enlisted Surface Warfare Pin,” said Alshemary. "These accomplishments have shown that I am working towards bettering myself as a sailor, and bettering those around me by learning and teaching."
As Alshemary 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 is a sense of security,” said Alshemary. “It gives me fulfillment to help others and to take care of my own family.”
Alshemary is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my parents and guardians, my wife, Alexis, and my newborn son, Aqueel Allen, for being there with me through this journey and helping me get to the position I am in today,” added Alshemary.