SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 1st Class Kyle Heery, a native of Colombus, Ohio, serves aboard USS Jack H. Lucas, a U.S. Navy warship operating out of San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Heery graduated from Franklin Heights High School in 2015.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Colombus.
“I learned growing up to treat everyone with a common sense of respect whether they are at the bottom or the top,” Heery said. “In the Navy, everyone has a different background, so it is important to treat everyone the same regardless of their rank because you can learn from them.”
Heery joined the Navy nine years ago. Today, Heery serves as an engineman.
“I joined the Navy to better myself and to give myself a plan in life,” Heery said.
Jack H. Lucas is named for Marine Corps Pfc. Jack Lucas, who served in the Marines during World War II and earned the Medal of Honor for his heroism at the Battle of Iwo Jima after saving the lives of three Marines when he was just 17 years old. Lucas is the youngest Marine, and the youngest service member in World War II, to be awarded the United States’ highest military honor for valor.
Jack H. Lucas is a Navy destroyer, a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
More than 300 sailors serve aboard USS Jack H. Lucas. Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.
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.
Heery has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of being a recruiter from 2021 to 2024 because it allowed me to directly change people’s lives,” Heery said.
Heery 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 my family will always be protected no matter the situation,” Heery said.
Heery is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank Command Master Chief Chris Byard and Master Chief Engineman Nate Morrow for always being people I could talk to and go to for guidance,” Heery added. “I also want to thank my wife, Joslyn, for supporting me coming back to sea duty.”