SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Weathersby, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joseph Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Weathersby graduated from Bartlett High School in 2020.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Memphis.
“Growing up, I learned to have a good work ethic and to be reliable,” Weathersby said. “My competitive nature makes me want to do better and work harder. In the Navy, we compete all the time; you get ranked against people and you go to boards against people. You have to make yourself look the best.”
Weathersby joined the Navy nearly five years ago. Today, Weathersby serves as an aviation maintenance administrationman.
“My dad was in the Navy, and my brother and I joined together,” Weathersby said. “It was something I wanted to do to start my life off.”
Members of HSM 75 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.
Weathersby has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of winning Sailor of the Year in 2024,” Weathersby said. “That recognition showed that my hard work paid off and that somebody recognized how hard I was working. Through all the stuff we do, leadership saw I was working hard enough to be Sailor of the Year.”
Weathersby serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“My service in the Navy means that my family can feel safer because I’m out here doing this,” Weathersby said.
Weathersby is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my dad, Rashad, my brother, Hakeem, my mom, Breionna, and my mentor, Tiana, for their support and guidance,” Weathersby said. “They’ve all been loving, a listening ear and people I can go to when times are hard because this isn’t always easy.”
Weathersby was also thankful for the leaders who have helped or offered guidance.
“I’d also like to thank all of my chiefs here, past and current, who have helped me and guided me, and everyone who works here for the opportunity to do this,” Weathersby added.