SAN DIEGO - Seaman Apprentice Michael Dawkins, a native of North Lauderdale, Florida, serves aboard USS Abraham Lincoln, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of San Diego, California.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joseph Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Dawkins graduated from Coconut Creek High School in 2024.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in North Lauderdale.
“Growing up, I learned to never give up and to keep pushing under stress,” Dawkins said. “My hometown also gave me a strong work ethic. My hometown is full of hustlers and people who work hard. A lot of people there have two jobs.”
Dawkins joined the Navy eight months ago. Today, Dawkins serves as an intelligence specialist.
“Growing up and seeing my family and their struggles to support 10 kids forced me to excel,” Dawkins said. “I couldn’t sit there with my head down. We didn’t have time to wait around. You have to have some kind of motivation. Wake up every day and do something with it.”
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.
Dawkins has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of my volunteer service and being able to help people out, whether it’s within my department or with civilians,” Dawkins said. “At one point in time, I needed help and my family needed help. It makes me feel good to help other people.”
Dawkins serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“To me, the Navy means honor, courage and commitment,” Dawkins said. “It means fighting with honor, having the courage to keep going in harm’s way and having the commitment to wake up every day and give 110%.”
Dawkins is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my grandfather for the support he gave me along the way to join the Navy,” Dawkins added. “He also was a good example and a role model for me. I would also like to shout out my recruiter, Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Nicole Lamb for helping me choose the best rate possible.”
Dawkins offered advice to anyone looking for guidance.“If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything,” Dawkins said. “You have a choice every day to do the right thing and make the people you love happy.”