SAN DIEGO - Lt. Cmdr. Leighton Pleasants, a native of Stuart, Flordia, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Pleasants graduated from South Fork High School in 2007. Additionally, Pleasants earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Florida in 2011.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Stuart.
“I learned from my hometown to enjoy the little things like a simple day at the beach or sand bar,” Pleasants said. “In the Navy, you have to enjoy the little things and not get caught up in the seriousness of it all. Little wins like a fun flight, chocolate chip cookies, or your guys qualifying can help when life gets hard.”
Pleasants joined the Navy 13 years ago. Today, Pleasants serves as a pilot.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to fly,” Pleasants said. “My dad was also a submariner in the Navy and he inspired me to join as well.”
Members of HSM 35 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.
Pleasants has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of completing my officer-in-charge tour with HSM 35 Detachment One aboard USS Lake Erie,” Pleasants said. “I am proud of that because we flew over 800 hours and did a lot of missions all while having no issues. It was also a great teamwork effort by the whole detachment.”
Pleasants 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 always considering your peers and the sailors working for you because it takes everyone to accomplish the mission,” Pleasants said.
Pleasants is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my family and friends for their support,” Pleasants added.