SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 3rd Class Conner White, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
White graduated from Cibola High School in 2018.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Albuquerque.
“I had a lot of jobs growing up that taught me a lot about patience and having a good work ethic,” White said. “Those lessons gave me a solid foundation to use in my career moving forward. In the Navy, we are constantly tested and pushed to the limit. However, being patient and having a good work ethic allows me to be successful.”
White joined the Navy two years ago. Today, White serves as a naval air crewman (tactical helicopter).
“My dad was a helicopter pilot in the Air Force and I joined the Navy to follow in his footsteps,” White said. “I joined the Navy rather than the Air Force because I wanted to do my own thing and set my own path.”
Members of HSM 41 fly and maintain the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform. The Navy MH-60R is able to perform many different missions. Some of the most common operations include strikes on maritime targets, submarine hunting and attack, electronic warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuations and supply support.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
White has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of graduating from Aviation Rescue Swimmer school because it pushed me to the limit and taught me a lot of things about myself,” White said. “It also made my family really proud when I graduated and it is something I will always remember for the rest of my life to show myself that I can do something hard. I am also proud of earning my Aircrew Wings because that was the end of my basic training and shows that I am now able to do the job I signed up to do. It's been two long years and I am excited to see what the future holds."
White serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
“Being in the Navy means I can serve my country and that I can be proud of something I've done in my life,” White said. "It's something that is bigger than myself."
White is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my family for always supporting me and for giving me guidance to succeed in everything I do,” White added. “I also want to thank my girlfriend, Caroline Schroeder, for being my biggest supporter. Lastly, I want to thank my team, Naval Air Crewman (Tactical Helicopter) 3rd Class Dane Hard, Naval Air Crewman (Tactical Helicopter) 3rd Class Gabriel Vennesland and Naval Air Crewman (Tactical Helicopter) 3rd Class Zander Widener for being with me from the beginning to the end.”