MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexandria Blake, a native of Ocala, 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.
 |
Blake graduated from West Port High School in 2012.
Blake joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Blake serves as a construction electrician.
"I have an aunt that I’m close to, and she is retired," Blake said. "She was my first reason for joining. I also felt like service could help with structure and
discipline in my life. Lastly, I love to travel."
Since joining the Navy, Blake has learned many skills that help them succeed.
"I’ve learned so much in the Navy," Blake said. "I’m a hard worker and I like to work.
Organization and time management are also very important in the Seabees. Time is everything. We’re open to learning and just
because you have one job doesn’t mean you can’t learn other jobs. Lastly, I've learned the importance of adaptability."
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.
Blake has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"Promoting to petty officer second class is my proudest accomplishment because I had a lot of barriers and some challenges that made me feel like I was never going to achieve
it," Blake said.
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.
Blake 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.
"To me, serving in the Navy means being able to adapt," Blake said. "You have to work together with different people, different cultures and
different backgrounds. Also, no matter what role you serve in the mission, it’s important, whether it’s big or small, and you have to complete it to
the best of your ability."
Blake is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
"I want to thank my father, Jeffrey, for being an awesome dad," Blake said. "I also want to thank my God kids, Kinye and Kawhi, for being my motivation."