SAN DIEGO - Chief Warrant Officer 4 Donnie Dowell, a native of Claremore, Oklahoma, serves aboard USS Abraham Lincoln, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Dowell graduated from Claremore Senior High School in 1994.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Claremore.
“Local legend Will Rodgers made a comment about never meeting a man he didn’t like, and that is a mindset I have brought with me into the military,” Dowell said. “Giving everyone a fair chance allows me to grow more as a sailor and as a person. What I love about the Navy is that we are a melting pot of diverse cultures and we can all be successful if we remember Will Rodgers' words.”
Dowell joined the Navy 25 years ago.
“I joined the military to finish college,” Dowell said. “My uncle also served in the Navy and I saw what it did for him. I wanted the same ability to be able to lead sailors and make money.”
Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s Naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.
According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and combat capability of its air wing.
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.
Dowell has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of picking up chief warrant officer because it allows me to continue to serve,” Dowell said. “I am also proud of that because only half a percent of sailors who enlist will be commissioned. I have come up the ranks to get to this position and it is a very rewarding feeling.”
Dowell serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means that I can protect our country’s freedoms,” Dowell said. “We are an all-volunteer force and this is an amazing place to be and an amazing organization to be a part of. When people thank me for my service, I always thank them for giving me a reason to serve.”
Dowell is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I want to thank my wife and daughter first and foremost for being understanding of me having to deploy,” Dowell added. “I also want to thank my uncle for setting the bar high for me to continue to serve. I want to thank my sailors as well because I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for them. Lastly, I want to thank the class of ‘94 because they have been right with me and they have always been huge supporters of what I do. Go Fighting Zebras!”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Claremore.
“Local legend Will Rodgers made a comment about never meeting a man he didn’t like, and that is a mindset I have brought with me into the military,” Dowell said. “Giving everyone a fair chance allows me to grow more as a sailor and as a person. What I love about the Navy is that we are a melting pot of diverse cultures and we can all be successful if we remember Will Rodgers' words.”
Dowell joined the Navy 25 years ago.
“I joined the military to finish college,” Dowell said. “My uncle also served in the Navy and I saw what it did for him. I wanted the same ability to be able to lead sailors and make money.”
Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s Naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.
According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and combat capability of its air wing.
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.
Dowell has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of picking up chief warrant officer because it allows me to continue to serve,” Dowell said. “I am also proud of that because only half a percent of sailors who enlist will be commissioned. I have come up the ranks to get to this position and it is a very rewarding feeling.”
Dowell serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means that I can protect our country’s freedoms,” Dowell said. “We are an all-volunteer force and this is an amazing place to be and an amazing organization to be a part of. When people thank me for my service, I always thank them for giving me a reason to serve.”
Dowell is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I want to thank my wife and daughter first and foremost for being understanding of me having to deploy,” Dowell added. “I also want to thank my uncle for setting the bar high for me to continue to serve. I want to thank my sailors as well because I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for them. Lastly, I want to thank the class of ‘94 because they have been right with me and they have always been huge supporters of what I do. Go Fighting Zebras!”