GULFPORT, Miss. - Since 1942, sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Construction Force have been building and fighting around the world. Petty Officer 1st Class Ashley Racy, a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, is one of those sailors.
Eighty-two years ago, members of Navy Construction Battalions were fittingly nicknamed, “Seabees,” a play on the C and B initials. They are responsible for building military bases and airfields, supporting humanitarian efforts and conducting underwater construction projects. The Seabees’ motto is “We Build, We Fight.”
Racy is a builder currently serving with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 at the headquarters for naval construction forces in Gulfport, Mississippi, which serves as a home base for the Atlantic Fleet Seabees.
Racy, who graduated from Watson Chapel Senior High School in 2006, joined the Navy over 12 and a half years ago.
“I have family who served both in the Navy and Air Force,” said Racy. “My brother and cousin both served in the Navy and my uncle served in the Air Force. Also at the time, I just needed a change and to find more opportunities.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Pine Bluff.
“Some of the lessons I learned growing up were working hard and getting out of the ‘mud,’” said Racy. “You just keep strong relationships and traditions always, and you always want to keep family first and give back to the community.”
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.
Racy 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.”
Racy has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is being hand-selected by my leadership at the time serving at Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202 to conduct a one-on-one interview with the Navy’s One Force team about Black Lives Matter movements,” said Racy. “My other proudest accomplishment is being selected to work with the Navy’s Wounded Warrior Team for the inaugural DOD Wounded Warrior Games.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jeffrey Yale |
Eighty-two years ago, members of Navy Construction Battalions were fittingly nicknamed, “Seabees,” a play on the C and B initials. They are responsible for building military bases and airfields, supporting humanitarian efforts and conducting underwater construction projects. The Seabees’ motto is “We Build, We Fight.”
Racy is a builder currently serving with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 at the headquarters for naval construction forces in Gulfport, Mississippi, which serves as a home base for the Atlantic Fleet Seabees.
Racy, who graduated from Watson Chapel Senior High School in 2006, joined the Navy over 12 and a half years ago.
“I have family who served both in the Navy and Air Force,” said Racy. “My brother and cousin both served in the Navy and my uncle served in the Air Force. Also at the time, I just needed a change and to find more opportunities.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Pine Bluff.
“Some of the lessons I learned growing up were working hard and getting out of the ‘mud,’” said Racy. “You just keep strong relationships and traditions always, and you always want to keep family first and give back to the community.”
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.
Racy 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.”
Racy has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is being hand-selected by my leadership at the time serving at Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202 to conduct a one-on-one interview with the Navy’s One Force team about Black Lives Matter movements,” said Racy. “My other proudest accomplishment is being selected to work with the Navy’s Wounded Warrior Team for the inaugural DOD Wounded Warrior Games.”
Racy has also received six Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.
Racy can take pride in serving America through military service.
“At this point in my career, serving is about representation and advocating,” said Racy.
Racy is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my family,” said Racy. “In particular my mother, Derona Rhodes, my sister, LaChesta Bell, my brother, Robert Rhodes, and my late grandmother, Betty Creath, for their love and support and in particular, my grandmother for all her prayers throughout my journey into the Navy.”
Racy can take pride in serving America through military service.
“At this point in my career, serving is about representation and advocating,” said Racy.
Racy is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my family,” said Racy. “In particular my mother, Derona Rhodes, my sister, LaChesta Bell, my brother, Robert Rhodes, and my late grandmother, Betty Creath, for their love and support and in particular, my grandmother for all her prayers throughout my journey into the Navy.”