JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Benjamen Adams, a native of Ocala, Florida, serves with Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 8 based out of Jacksonville, Florida. The squadron’s primary mission is to undertake maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Bryan Niegel, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Adams, a 2016 graduate of Forest High School, joined the Navy five years ago.
“I joined the Navy because I just wanted to have a military experience,” said Adams. "I worked for a sheriff’s office before I joined and that encouraged me to want to enlist."
Today, Adams relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Ocala to succeed in the military.
“The friendships I had back home I find with folks I work with at the squadron,” said Adams. "I was encouraged to develop this bond with people in the Navy, which really helps with deployment."
These lessons have helped Adams while serving in the Navy.
VP 8 flies the U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft. Designed to secure the U.S. Navy’s future in long-range maritime patrol capability, the P-8A has transformed how the Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance force will man, train, operate and deploy, according to Navy officials. While the aircraft is also equipped with high-quality weapon systems, it also has an open architecture to allow for expansion. P-8A deploy around the globe to monitor the world’s oceans wherever they are needed.
This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as "The First Six," earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.
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 Adams 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 maintaining freedom of navigation and trade which allows Americans to enjoy the things they purchase every day,” said Adams.
Adams and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm most proud of going on deployment and serving the country as my family did before me,” said Adams. "What we do on deployment is very important, and I feel that we play a vital role in the Navy’s overall mission.”
As Adams and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving to me means carrying out a long family tradition,” said Adams. "Both my parents were Marines, my grandfather was in the Air Force in Vietnam, and my great-grandfather was a prisoner of war in WWII who survived the 1942 Bataan Death March.”
Adams is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I'd like to thank my mom and dad,” added Adams. "They were very encouraging throughout the enlistment process and helped me get into the right mindset to serve."