OAK HARBOR, Wash.- Petty Officer 3rd Class Daylen Fennell, a native of Pensacola, Florida, 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 |
Fennell graduated from Pensacola State Collegiate High School in 2017.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Pensacola.
“My grandmother raised me to find the best in any situation,” said Fennell. “No matter what kind of day I have or whatever situation pops up, I try to find the best in that situation. Especially in the Navy, you have to find the bright side of the situation because somebody else has probably got it worse.”
Fennell is a student 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.
Fennell joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Fennell serves as an aviation machinist’s mate.
“Both of my grandfathers served in the Navy and that combined with my love for aviation inspired me to join the Navy,” said Fennell. “I went to college for a little bit because I wanted to be a pilot, but algebra was a killer. I still wanted to work in aviation so I looked for another way.”
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.
Fennell 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.”
Fennell has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud of all the work I’ve conducted to keep the aircraft and personnel flying safely,” said Fennell. “My main thing is that I have a family, a wife and a child on the way. You have to think about it like your own family in the plane. If you wouldn’t let your family fly in it, you won’t let somebody else fly in it. That’s what I like about aviation. You have to be honest because everything we do is life or death.”
Fennell can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy gave me and my family a stable, safe future,” said Fennell. “Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Fennell is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my grandmother, Mary, who shaped me into who I am today,” added Fennell. “She raised me and pushed me to be the best person I can be. I also want to thank my wife, Brianna Fennell, for encouraging me to join. We were at a Blue Angels show and I said I thought I should go talk to them. She encouraged me to take that first step and go over to talk to them. The next day I was signing the papers.”