U.S. NAVAL BASE GUAM - Petty Officer 1st Class Nikita Custer, a native of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, serves the U.S. Navy aboard USS Frank Cable.
Custer graduated from Lake City High School in 2011.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Coeur d'Alene.
“Growing up I was always a very physical person,” said Custer. “Working in the Navy we move a lot and have to work with our hands. Being in the Navy, I also feel part of a group like I belong here.”
Custer joined the Navy seven years ago. Today, Custer serves as a mass communication specialist.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel |
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Coeur d'Alene.
“Growing up I was always a very physical person,” said Custer. “Working in the Navy we move a lot and have to work with our hands. Being in the Navy, I also feel part of a group like I belong here.”
Custer joined the Navy seven years ago. Today, Custer serves as a mass communication specialist.
“I joined the Navy looking for an opportunity to grow personally, physically, mentally and professionally,” said Custer. “The Navy allowed me to give back to my country while traveling the world and seeing all that it had to offer.”
Frank Cable, an expeditionary submarine tender manned by a hybrid crew of sailors and civilian mariners, provides critical maintenance capabilities to the U.S. Navy’s submarine force in the Pacific.
Frank Cable’s primary clients are the four Los Angeles-class attack submarines homeported in Guam, but the ship can also provide repair and logistic services to other Navy ships like cruisers and destroyers. The submarine tenders provide maintenance, temporary berthing services and logistical support to submarines and surface ships in the Pacific Ocean as well as the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.
With a crew of more than 600, Frank Cable is 649 feet long and weighs approximately 23,493 tons.
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Custer serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Custer has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of the growth I have been able to accomplish during my career,” said Custer. “When I first joined I struggled in my rate (job) but now I have grown and can now help other sailors in my shop grow their skills and confidence. I came in insecure and scared, and now I am confident and fearless.”
Custer can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means thinking about others before myself,” said Custer. “In the Navy our actions affect others back at home as well as people across the globe. We set the example and work to protect and defend those around the world.”
Custer is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my grandfather, Chauncey, for answering the phone when I was a scared new recruit back in boot camp,” added Custer. “Having family and a support system back at home gives this job much more meaning knowing I am doing my part protecting them too.”
Frank Cable, an expeditionary submarine tender manned by a hybrid crew of sailors and civilian mariners, provides critical maintenance capabilities to the U.S. Navy’s submarine force in the Pacific.
Frank Cable’s primary clients are the four Los Angeles-class attack submarines homeported in Guam, but the ship can also provide repair and logistic services to other Navy ships like cruisers and destroyers. The submarine tenders provide maintenance, temporary berthing services and logistical support to submarines and surface ships in the Pacific Ocean as well as the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.
With a crew of more than 600, Frank Cable is 649 feet long and weighs approximately 23,493 tons.
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Custer serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Custer has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of the growth I have been able to accomplish during my career,” said Custer. “When I first joined I struggled in my rate (job) but now I have grown and can now help other sailors in my shop grow their skills and confidence. I came in insecure and scared, and now I am confident and fearless.”
Custer can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means thinking about others before myself,” said Custer. “In the Navy our actions affect others back at home as well as people across the globe. We set the example and work to protect and defend those around the world.”
Custer is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my grandfather, Chauncey, for answering the phone when I was a scared new recruit back in boot camp,” added Custer. “Having family and a support system back at home gives this job much more meaning knowing I am doing my part protecting them too.”