OAK HARBOR, Wash. – Aviators in the U.S. Navy fly some of the most technologically-advanced aircraft in modern history. The driving force behind keeping naval aviators safely in the air are the maintainers on the ground making repairs and ensuring the aircraft are mission-ready.
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| Photo by Ashley Craig |
Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Dotson, a native of Lemoore, California, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Fleet Readiness Center Northwest (FRCNW), aboard Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Dotson graduated from Lemoore High School in 2015.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Lemoore.
“In my hometown and throughout the valley, I taught up to six different high school marching bands and worked a number of odd jobs,” said Dotson. “This helped me juggle multiple tasks and maintain different skills that I could use throughout the Navy such as time management, being a team player, displaying professionalism and so much more.”
Dotson joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Dotson serves as an aircrew survival equipmentman.
“My parents’ military service influenced my decision to join,” said Dotson. “My father was in the Army and my mother retired from the Navy. I went to college but didn’t finish. I joined the Navy to take the four years to figure my life out and ended up staying in.”
FRCNW is the premier intermediate maintenance activity of the Pacific Northwest. With more than 1,000 sailors, civilian and contractor personnel, FRCNW provides intermediate and more sophisticated depot-level repair of more than 12,500 different aviation components. Repair services are provided for jet engines, airframes, avionics, armament, aviation life support systems, ejection seats and more than 2,300 pieces of support equipment directly supporting 22 local and deployed squadrons, 10 aircraft carriers, three overseas operational sites and numerous Pacific Northwest Regional commands and activities.
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.
Dotson 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.”
Dotson has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy has to be how far I’ve come when, at one point, I never believed I’d be this far,” said Dotson. “Being put in leadership positions and working a job that focuses on other people’s safety and recovery is rewarding.”
Dotson can take pride in serving America through military service.
“To me, serving in the Navy means getting to see the world and meeting some of the funniest, smartest and determined service members,” said Dotson. “It also means being a part of the small percent of people who accepted the challenge of being a sailor.”
Dotson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom, dad, sister, my stepmom and stepsister as well,” said Dotson. “I also want to thank Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class Sunico. Making it this far was not easy and they all kind of pushed me when I wanted to give up. If it wasn’t for their encouragement, I wouldn’t be in the position I am.”
Dotson offered encouragement to anyone considering a path in the Navy.
“I’ve learned how to be a better individual during my growing process in the Navy,” added Dotson. “This experience is not easy by any means, but knowing you took that step to decide to better your life, whether you stay in or not, it’s very worth it in my eyes. Even if I did choose to get out soon, I have the skills to excel anywhere that I go.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Lemoore.
“In my hometown and throughout the valley, I taught up to six different high school marching bands and worked a number of odd jobs,” said Dotson. “This helped me juggle multiple tasks and maintain different skills that I could use throughout the Navy such as time management, being a team player, displaying professionalism and so much more.”
Dotson joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Dotson serves as an aircrew survival equipmentman.
“My parents’ military service influenced my decision to join,” said Dotson. “My father was in the Army and my mother retired from the Navy. I went to college but didn’t finish. I joined the Navy to take the four years to figure my life out and ended up staying in.”
FRCNW is the premier intermediate maintenance activity of the Pacific Northwest. With more than 1,000 sailors, civilian and contractor personnel, FRCNW provides intermediate and more sophisticated depot-level repair of more than 12,500 different aviation components. Repair services are provided for jet engines, airframes, avionics, armament, aviation life support systems, ejection seats and more than 2,300 pieces of support equipment directly supporting 22 local and deployed squadrons, 10 aircraft carriers, three overseas operational sites and numerous Pacific Northwest Regional commands and activities.
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.
Dotson 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.”
Dotson has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy has to be how far I’ve come when, at one point, I never believed I’d be this far,” said Dotson. “Being put in leadership positions and working a job that focuses on other people’s safety and recovery is rewarding.”
Dotson can take pride in serving America through military service.
“To me, serving in the Navy means getting to see the world and meeting some of the funniest, smartest and determined service members,” said Dotson. “It also means being a part of the small percent of people who accepted the challenge of being a sailor.”
Dotson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom, dad, sister, my stepmom and stepsister as well,” said Dotson. “I also want to thank Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class Sunico. Making it this far was not easy and they all kind of pushed me when I wanted to give up. If it wasn’t for their encouragement, I wouldn’t be in the position I am.”
Dotson offered encouragement to anyone considering a path in the Navy.
“I’ve learned how to be a better individual during my growing process in the Navy,” added Dotson. “This experience is not easy by any means, but knowing you took that step to decide to better your life, whether you stay in or not, it’s very worth it in my eyes. Even if I did choose to get out soon, I have the skills to excel anywhere that I go.”