MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Ensign Rachael Jones, a native of Las Vegas, Nevada, recently received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal while serving the U.S. Navy assigned to Navy Public Affairs Support Element (NPASE) West.
Jones, who joined the Navy two years ago, is a 2017 graduate of Centennial High School. Additionally, Jones earned a degree from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2021. Today, Jones serves as a public affairs action officer.
Jones was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for meritorious service during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise. During the exercise, Jones organized 720 individual visits to ships and other command centers for U.S. Congressional staff and 20 of our partner nations’ military leaders, emphasizing the value of maritime collaboration.
“RIMPAC 2024 was very challenging and extremely rewarding for professional development, not just for myself, but for those I worked closely with and led,” Jones said. “I’m honored that our hard work didn’t go unnoticed and proud of the growth and the connections I made during RIMPAC.”
Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel participated in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands last summer. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
“In the upcoming missions I am tasked with, I feel confident that I have the skills to complete them,” Jones said. “I hope to inspire those around me with the importance of strong social skills and work ethic, as they have been instrumental in helping me succeed while in the Navy. If you feel challenged, use your resources and ask for help, it will only make you, your team and your work better.”
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.
NPASE provides expeditionary public affairs forces, supporting the fleet and component commanders with immediately deployable sailors who are trained and equipped to support current and emerging public affairs and visual information requirements.
NPASE provides expeditionary public affairs forces, supporting the fleet and component commanders with immediately deployable sailors who are trained and equipped to support current and emerging public affairs and visual information requirements.