OAK HARBOR, Wash.- Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Timmons, a native of Seattle, Washington, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit 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 |
Timmons graduated from Foster High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Seattle.
“Growing up, I learned that it’s OK to venture off for more opportunities,” said Timmons. “You don’t have to stay at home. It’s OK to be different. It helped me accept the different perspectives people have. People come from different places and I’ve learned to adapt to different personalities.”
Timmons 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.
Timmons joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Timmons serves as an aviation machinist’s mate.
“I joined the Navy for more opportunities,” said Timmons. “I liked the uniforms. They were blue then, but when I got in they changed them back to green.”
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.
Timmons 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.”
Timmons has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of getting my first ‘early promote’ as a petty officer second class on the first try,” said Timmons. “I started from the bottom. Out of 56 sailors, I rose up to number five of those getting an ‘early promote’ and they gave out six of them. I hard charged to get it.”
Timmons can take pride in serving America through military service.“Serving in the Navy means I’m protecting my country,” said Timmons.