MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 1st Class Dylan Young, a native of Sarasota, Florida, serves aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Marinette, in Mayport, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class 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.
Young, a 2010 graduate of Booker High School, joined the Navy 12 years ago.
“I was originally going to join the Army to go into aviation,” said Young. "My best friend, Hayden Bombard, was joining the Navy when I found out there was a buddy enlistment program to keep us together as long as possible."
Today, Young relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Sarasota to succeed in the military.
“When I graduated high school, I found that Sarasota was kind of a small community and I enjoyed that small-town environment,” said Young. "As big as the Navy is, I still find it to have that small-town community feel."
These lessons have helped Young 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 Young 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.
“I feel like there is an increasing threat around the world and having an arm with some reach in international waters can give people peace of mind,” said Young.
Young and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My most proud moment was finishing my first deployment on the now-decommissioned, USS Fort McHenry,” said Young. "After three years of moving around to different bases, the end of my deployment made me feel like I can do this. The Navy is a great job for me."
As Young and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“It's given me a foundation and set up my future,” said Young. "It means everything to me in my adult life."
Young is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my parents, Roger and Cindy, who gave me the opportunity to choose my own path,” said Young. "They've let me grow and make decisions that are best for me."
“I just signed up for college at Liberty University to pursue a degree in avionics,” added Young. "My goal is to become a commercial airline pilot."
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 Young 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.
“I feel like there is an increasing threat around the world and having an arm with some reach in international waters can give people peace of mind,” said Young.
Young and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My most proud moment was finishing my first deployment on the now-decommissioned, USS Fort McHenry,” said Young. "After three years of moving around to different bases, the end of my deployment made me feel like I can do this. The Navy is a great job for me."
As Young and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“It's given me a foundation and set up my future,” said Young. "It means everything to me in my adult life."
Young is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my parents, Roger and Cindy, who gave me the opportunity to choose my own path,” said Young. "They've let me grow and make decisions that are best for me."
“I just signed up for college at Liberty University to pursue a degree in avionics,” added Young. "My goal is to become a commercial airline pilot."