SAN DIEGO - Airman Tory Mann, a native of Macon, Georgia, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joey Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Mann graduated from Central High School in 2024.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Macon.
“Growing up, I learned the importance of getting an education and the importance of staying safe,” Mann said. “If you stay in school and get your education, you’ll stay out of trouble. I didn’t ever want to be in trouble. You have tests when you’re in boot camp, so it helps to be able to understand and know what you’re doing. It is important to pay attention and take notes. Another important lesson I learned was to be respectful and to hold myself to the degree that I wanted to be respected. I also learned to treat others how I want to be treated.”
Mann joined the Navy eight months ago. Today, Mann serves as an aviation ordnanceman.
“I joined the Navy because I didn’t want to go straight into college,” Mann said. “I wanted a break before school. My mother was a math teacher, so I had school before school. I also knew I wanted to travel for free and see the world while getting paid. The educational benefits the Navy offers were a big draw as well, so when I go to college, I can take advantage of them.”
Members of HSM 71 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.
Mann has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of graduating from boot camp and finishing ‘A’ School,” Mann said. “I am proud of that because I didn’t get held back in anything. I did everything on time and passed all my tests. Now I’m here at my first command.”
Mann serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“To me, serving in the Navy means being proud of defending your country,” Mann said. “There’s a lot of people who aren’t in the military. We’re the 1% of people with this same uniform and I am proud to wear it each day.”
Mann is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mother, my grandfather, my older brother, my coaches from high school, my mentors, Petty Officer Franklin, and all the teachers that I liked and still keep up with for their support,” Mann added. “I also want to thank my girlfriend for being there for me while I was in boot camp. It was my first time being away from home and her letters really helped. Also, I want to thank my homeboy, JoJo. We grew up together. He’s training to be an officer. We have a whole bunch of dreams and plans.”