SAN DIEGO - Lt. Cmdr. Willie Ruthart, a native of Gun Barrel City, Texas, 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 |
Ruthart graduated from Mabank High School in 2001.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Gun Barrel City.
“My high school teacher, Bill Cheney, was the first one who got me interested in physics and chemistry,” Ruthart said. “His influence in getting me interested in science helped me get through school and have a successful career in the Navy.”
Ruthart joined the Navy 23 years ago. Today, Ruthart serves as a nuclear power officer.
“I joined the Navy because I come from a family where everyone served in some capacity, but none of them ever made it a career,” Ruthart said. “I am the first to make it a career. I am also from a small town where there are not a lot of opportunities and I wanted to create a better future for myself.”
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.
Ruthart has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I really enjoy mentoring sailors,” Ruthart said. "The Nuclear Propulsion Program can be challenging and not a lot of people can do it. So, being able to mentor sailors is rewarding. Even if they don’t stay in, I’m proud of setting them up for success in whatever career path they take.”
Ruthart serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
“When everyone feels divided, serving in the Navy is very important because we are all working together towards the same goal,” Ruthart said. “Working with people from all walks of life to achieve one mission is my favorite part of the job. I've been in the Navy longer than I haven’t and I have made best friends who will become lifelong friends because of the Navy.”
Ruthart is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife, Adawna,” Ruthart added. “She has truly sacrificed so much and has put her dreams on the back burner for me to pursue my career. It is so difficult being a military spouse and I can’t thank her enough for what she does. I also want to thank our kids, Azi, Chaz, and Max, for understanding that their mom and I need to be away for extended periods of time because of this job. However, I really do feel like I’m doing it for good reason.”.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Gun Barrel City.
“My high school teacher, Bill Cheney, was the first one who got me interested in physics and chemistry,” Ruthart said. “His influence in getting me interested in science helped me get through school and have a successful career in the Navy.”
Ruthart joined the Navy 23 years ago. Today, Ruthart serves as a nuclear power officer.
“I joined the Navy because I come from a family where everyone served in some capacity, but none of them ever made it a career,” Ruthart said. “I am the first to make it a career. I am also from a small town where there are not a lot of opportunities and I wanted to create a better future for myself.”
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.
Ruthart has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I really enjoy mentoring sailors,” Ruthart said. "The Nuclear Propulsion Program can be challenging and not a lot of people can do it. So, being able to mentor sailors is rewarding. Even if they don’t stay in, I’m proud of setting them up for success in whatever career path they take.”
Ruthart serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
“When everyone feels divided, serving in the Navy is very important because we are all working together towards the same goal,” Ruthart said. “Working with people from all walks of life to achieve one mission is my favorite part of the job. I've been in the Navy longer than I haven’t and I have made best friends who will become lifelong friends because of the Navy.”
Ruthart is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife, Adawna,” Ruthart added. “She has truly sacrificed so much and has put her dreams on the back burner for me to pursue my career. It is so difficult being a military spouse and I can’t thank her enough for what she does. I also want to thank our kids, Azi, Chaz, and Max, for understanding that their mom and I need to be away for extended periods of time because of this job. However, I really do feel like I’m doing it for good reason.”.