MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Ash Painter, a native of Gainesville, Florida, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Naval Construction Battalion (NCB) 14, which is participating in Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2025 in northeastern Europe. This multi-national exercise runs from June 5 to 20.
Painter graduated from Branford High School in 2004.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Gainesville.
“Growing up, I learned the importance of being respectful,” Painter said. “Saying ‘Sir,’ ‘Ma’am,’ and ‘Thank you’ goes a long way.”
Painter joined the Navy eight years ago. Today, Painter serves as a construction mechanic.
“I wanted to join the Navy out of high school, but life happened, and I had to wait a few years,” Painter said.
BALTOPS 25 is the premier maritime-focused annual military exercise in the Baltic region and provides a unique opportunity to strengthen warfighting readiness and combat credibility critical to deterrence and preserving safety and security in the Baltic Sea. BALTOPS sharpens U.S. maritime readiness and offers opportunities to train and test emerging capabilities that will enhance our ability to protect the homeland and integrate with our allies for the collective defense of Europe.
Painter has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“In boot camp, on my birthday, colors went off while I was leading a formation,” Painter said. “That was meaningful for me. It was my 30th birthday, and that moment has always stayed with me.”
Participating nations include Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Painter serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
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.
“Serving in the Navy means being part of something that’s bigger than me,” Painter said. “In the Navy, you’re meeting people from all walks of life, you trust them and form really strong relationships. They are like family.”
Painter is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife, Julia, and my boss, Gene, and Joe,” Painter added. “They are always supportive of my duties as a reservist.”