OAK HARBOR, Wash.- Petty Officer 1st Class Nathaniel Anderson, a native of Carthage, New York, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Whidbey Island, where sailors learn the skills needed to ensure aircraft are mission-ready.
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| Photo by Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Michael Manning |
Anderson graduated from Carthage High School in 2007.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Carthage.
“I come from a military family so we moved around a lot,” said Anderson. “I’m from Pennsylvania but I claim northern New York as home. My experiences have led me to be able to help lead my sailors, especially in foul weather evolutions.”
Anderson is an instructor developing the skills required for naval aviation warfighting. Students are taught the requirements and skills needed to be successful in their careers. Instructors and staff are experts in the subject matter they teach and they provide cutting-edge technical training that transforms students into mission-ready warfighters.
Anderson joined the Navy 10 years ago. Today, Anderson serves as an aviation machinist’s mate.
“Joining the Navy was a personal choice,” said Anderson. “My mom and brother both served in the Army. I started looking for more opportunities because I was tired of getting laid off every winter and I wanted to do something better with my life.”
CNATTU Whidbey Island provides two shipboard aircraft firefighting courses in a live fire training environment where sailors learn to use essential teamwork and communication skills to be successful. Shipboard firefighting is a critical skill set every sailor deploying on board a ship must possess to save lives and equipment in the event of an emergency.
According to Navy officials, CNATTU’s mission is to produce resilient sailors and Marines with the necessary knowledge and skills to troubleshoot and maintain aircraft systems. These high-quality trained maintainers will provide the fleet with the aircraft readiness needed to succeed in combat.
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.
Anderson 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.”
Anderson has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of watching my sailors succeed, resulting in a fully qualified mech shop,” said Anderson. “My goal is to have a fully qualified mech shop where everybody is fully qualified.”
Anderson can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy gives me the ability to do what I love while protecting our nation,” said Anderson.
Anderson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my family, my parents and my wife for pushing me,” added Anderson. “I also want to thank Master Chief Barry for giving me the opportunity to grow as a leader when I was a second class petty officer filling a senior role usually held by a petty officer first class.”