MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Pauline Von Dinklage-Mapu, a Navy reservist from Pagai State, American Samoa, assigned to Navy Reserve Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, recently was named an All-Tournament Player at the Armed Forces Volleyball Championship.
Von Dinklage-Mapu won silver with the All-Navy women’s volleyball team at the Armed Forces Volleyball Championship, held in September in Fort Carson, Colorado. The All-Army women’s team won gold at the event.
Von Dinklage-Mapu joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Von Dinklage-Mapu serves as a logistics specialist reporting out of Navy Reserve Center Salt Lake City.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to do something other than being a stay-at-home mom,” said Von Dinklage-Mapu. “I’m a woman with many talents and through the power of prayer I believe I am capable of achieving anything my heart desires.”
Von Dinklage-Mapu applied for the team and was invited to try out in Florida.
“When I got to Florida I was confident and excited, but also nervous because I was one of the oldest players trying out,” said Von Dinklage-Mapu. “I met up with two Samoan girls at the tryouts, Elsie Scanlan and Feliua’i Tuiolemotu, and we all made the team. Although I had my doubts when I found out I was going to be second string, instead of letting it drag me down I used it as fuel for my motivation to outperform others.”
The skills and values needed to succeed were established and honed in Pagai State.
“My journey began when I was 10 years old and my dad would allow me to play in village volleyball, ‘Faafu,’ where I immediately became fearless when my dad spiked the ball from the opposite side of the net and hit me in the face,” said Von Dinklage-Mapu. “My dad continued coaching me and my little sister, Pamalyeen, when volleyball was finally introduced in elementary sports where we attended Alofau Elementary School. My parents continued coaching our volleyball team at Fagaitua High School ‘Toa O le Vasa’ till we both graduated.”
Von Dinklage-Mapu graduated from Fagaitua High School in 2010 and was named Best Female Athlete of their class and Best Volleyball Player on the Island. Von Dinklage-Mapu went to college on volleyball scholarships, earning an associate degree from New Mexico Military Institute and a bachelor’s degree in history and communications from Dixie State University in Utah.
“My inspiration was and will always be my kids,” said Von Dinklage-Mapu. “They are my motivation in everything I do and I want to inspire them that anything is possible no matter the age. They were so happy when I got selected for the tryouts but were excited when I told them ‘Mommy got selected to represent the U.S. Navy Women’s Team for the Armed Forces Tournament in Colorado.’”
Von Dinklage-Mapu is assigned to Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, the Navy’s oldest and largest Fleet Logistics Center, serving on the Norfolk, Virginia, waterfront for nearly a century. Fleet Logistics Center’s mission is to provide Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and joint and allied forces with timely, effective and efficient global logistics capabilities, enabling them to take the fight to the enemy.
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.
Von Dinklage-Mapu serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
Von Dinklage-Mapu has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service and has named Blue Jacket of the Quarter in November 2023 and earned a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for completing more than 70 hours of funeral honors.
“I’m honored by these prestigious awards,” said Von Dinklage-Mapu. “My dedication to my unit, mentorship, and commitment to local community service shows great leadership instilled within me.”
Von Dinklage-Mapu is also proud of battling for their team during the tournament.
“When our team arrived in Colorado, we all came together as one and battled on the court,” said Von Dinklage-Mapu. “I met my high school idol, Salaia Salave’a, again and it was fun playing against her in this tournament. Our team ran a 6-2 lineup where I dominated from the right-side position. Unfortunately, I got injured and couldn’t play the last two games. Regardless of my injury, my team still finished strong and we ended up with silver.”
Von Dinklage-Mapu can take pride in representing America in sports through military service.
“‘After every storm, there’s always a rainbow,’ although our team’s final standing wasn’t the goal, God had bigger plans for me,” said Von Dinklage-Mapu. “Fortunately, I was selected for the All-Tournament Team to represent the USA in the CISM Military World Games.”
Von Dinklage-Mapu is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my aunt/coach Lydia Faleafine for always believing in me because she took me and her two daughters to volleyball camps in Hawaii to help perfect my volleyball skills,” added Von Dinklage-Mapu. “I’m so grateful for her because she still supports me to this day and I’m so lucky to have her as my second mom. Shout out to my family and friends for the love and support, as well as the Samoan community at Fort Carson, Colorado, faafetai mo le tou sapasapaia ma le tou lagolagosua.
“I dedicate this achievement to my brother, Paul Von Dinklage, because without him I wouldn’t been able to attend this event. Luckily, he survived caring for my kids and I thank him for making that sacrifice for me. I love you brother! I would also like to make a shout out to my father, Paul Von Dinklage.”