NORFOLK, Va. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandyn Storms, a native of Alpharetta, Georgia, was selected to advance to the next paygrade through the Meritorious Advancement Program (MAP) on April 3 while serving aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima.
The MAP program gives commanding officers the opportunity to recognize their best sailors by advancing them when they demonstrate readiness for the next level of responsibility.
“It means everything, especially knowing my dad and the rest of my family is proud of me,” said Storms. “I like the camaraderie of my team and knowing that they have my back.”
Storms graduated from South Forsyth High School in 2001.
Storms has served in the Navy for three years. Today, Storms serves as a master-at-arms.
Amphibious assault ships, such as Iwo Jima, project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the Amphibious Readiness Group / Expeditionary Strike Group.
The Amphibious Readiness Group provides the Marine Corps with a means of ship-to-shore movement by helicopter and landing craft.
Iwo Jima supports major humanitarian assistance and combat operations in order to provide relief and protection for other countries.
The ship Iwo Jima is named after the battle of Iwo Jima fought in 1945, in which three divisions of U.S. Marines took control of a tiny island from more than 20,000 enemy defenders.
The ship’s motto is a quote from Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz: “Among the Americans who served on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”