SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 2nd Class Shaun Tibbett, a native of Yakima, Washington, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Tibbett graduated from Dwight D. Eisenhower High School in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Yakima.
“I learned from my high school to never give up,” Tibbett said. “The school had a lot of programs to help students graduate and prevent them from dropping out. That inspired me to never give up and to keep pushing to achieve my goals.”
Tibbett joined the Navy three and half years ago. Today, Tibbett serves as an aviation ordnanceman.
“I joined the Navy because I originally wanted to be a police officer but my family friends suggested I join the military first to get used to things like wearing a uniform and understanding the rank structure,” Tibbett said.
Members of HSM 49 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.
Tibbett has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is completing my first deployment,” Tibbett said. “I was gone for seven months and 30 days. It was a very rough deployment and there were a lot of "ups and downs" but it made me more confident and has helped me think outside of the box.”
Tibbett 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 not only a commitment to myself but also a commitment to our country and keeping my loved ones safe,” Tibbett said. “It also means defending the values of the Constitution and helping to keep our county free.”
Tibbett is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife, Kiana, for always supporting me and having my back,” Tibbett added. “Being a Navy wife is tough and she has been very strong and supportive. I also want to thank my parents, Mark and Nolena, for being very supportive. They have done nothing but assist my wife with anything we need. I also want to thank my entire extended family for their support.”