By Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach
MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 1st Class Justin Cundiff, a native of Yorktown, Virginia, reenlisted after completing aerographer's mate C-school course at Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Keesler on Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi.
The course is nine months long and once completed, the sailors qualify as Navy meteorologists and oceanographers.
Cundiff joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Cundiff serves as an aerographer's mate.
"I joined the Navy to follow a new path, to travel the world and to learn new skills," said Cundiff.
Growing up in Yorktown, Cundiff attended York River Academy and graduated in 2019. Today, Cundiff relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Yorktown to succeed in the military.
"I learned in Yorktown to always push myself and to get comfortable being uncomfortable since that is where growth occurs," said Cundiff. "I also learned that luck comes from exceptional preparation."
These lessons have helped Cundiff while serving in the Navy.
The Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command directs and oversees more than 2,500 globally distributed military and civilian personnel who collect, process and exploit environmental information to assist Fleet and Joint Commanders in all warfare areas to make better decisions faster than the adversary.
Whether operating in the air, at sea or underwater, Navy equipment, people and decision-making all rely on the technical and tactical advice of Navy Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) members.
Naval Oceanography encompasses a wide range of missions crucial to supporting today's Naval fleet. They include oceanography, hydrography, meteorology, climate science, geospatial information science, astrometry, Earth orientation and precise time.
As a member of the Navy, Cundiff is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
Cundiff and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
"I am most proud of how I have changed under the guidance of my Navy leadership," said Cundiff.
As Cundiff and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
As Cundiff 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 that I am a part of something bigger than myself," added Cundiff. "We are the best Navy in the world."