OAK HARBOR, Wash. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert Marcotte, a native of Lewes, Delaware, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Marcotte graduated from Cape Henlopen High School in 2020.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Lewes.
“Growing up, I’ve had a job ever since I was 14,” said Marcotte. “I learned that being a workhorse while being a reliable person will take you far.”
Marcotte joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Marcotte serves as an aviation ordnanceman.
“I joined the Navy to create a pathway to my future,” said Marcotte. “I wanted to set myself up with benefits while traveling the world.”
VAQ-142 deploys with aircraft carriers to project electronic attack dominance anywhere in the world at any time.
The EA-18G Growler is a carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft and the cornerstone of the naval Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) mission. Its platform is derived from the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft and adds a sophisticated electronic warfare suite that enables it to suppress enemy air defenses as well as electronic attack operations.
The Growler has two seats, is over 60 feet long and can weigh up to 66,000 pounds when fully loaded with all missiles and electronic jammers. It can travel at speeds over 1,100 miles per hour, around 1.5 times the speed of sound.
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.
Marcotte 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.”
Marcotte has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of becoming a team leader as an airman,” said Marcotte. “A team leader requires a great deal of trust and responsibility.”
Marcotte can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy is putting the needs of your country above your own,” said Marcotte. “There are unlimited sacrifices we make that are never forgotten.”
Marcotte is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife, Ilesha, for all her sacrifices,” added Marcotte. “She was pregnant during our last deployment, and I know that she was getting everything done by herself. I also want to thank my parents, Bob and Annette, and my grandmother, Irene. I’m thankful for all my family who have supported me in my Navy journey.”
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| Photo by Alvin Plexico |
Marcotte graduated from Cape Henlopen High School in 2020.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Lewes.
“Growing up, I’ve had a job ever since I was 14,” said Marcotte. “I learned that being a workhorse while being a reliable person will take you far.”
Marcotte joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Marcotte serves as an aviation ordnanceman.
“I joined the Navy to create a pathway to my future,” said Marcotte. “I wanted to set myself up with benefits while traveling the world.”
VAQ-142 deploys with aircraft carriers to project electronic attack dominance anywhere in the world at any time.
The EA-18G Growler is a carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft and the cornerstone of the naval Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) mission. Its platform is derived from the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft and adds a sophisticated electronic warfare suite that enables it to suppress enemy air defenses as well as electronic attack operations.
The Growler has two seats, is over 60 feet long and can weigh up to 66,000 pounds when fully loaded with all missiles and electronic jammers. It can travel at speeds over 1,100 miles per hour, around 1.5 times the speed of sound.
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.
Marcotte 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.”
Marcotte has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of becoming a team leader as an airman,” said Marcotte. “A team leader requires a great deal of trust and responsibility.”
Marcotte can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy is putting the needs of your country above your own,” said Marcotte. “There are unlimited sacrifices we make that are never forgotten.”
Marcotte is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife, Ilesha, for all her sacrifices,” added Marcotte. “She was pregnant during our last deployment, and I know that she was getting everything done by herself. I also want to thank my parents, Bob and Annette, and my grandmother, Irene. I’m thankful for all my family who have supported me in my Navy journey.”