BOSTON - Petty Officer 2nd Class Ethan Kay, a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, is one of more than 60 sailors celebrating America’s 249 years of independence while serving aboard USS Constitution, the Navy’s oldest commissioned warship.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Kay graduated from Floyd E. Kellam High School in 2018.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Virginia Beach.
“Growing up, I learned to be creative and the importance of asking questions,” Kay said. “It’s helped me apply myself when I get different jobs anywhere I go. Being creative helps me learn those new jobs as quickly as I can, and it also helps me solve problems when they come up. I try to ask a lot of questions when not everything is brought up initially, which helps me get all the information.”
Kay joined the Navy seven years ago. Today, Kay serves as an information systems technician.
“I joined the Navy to serve in high-impact roles and to be forward deployed,” Kay said. “I wanted an opportunity to gain new experiences and to travel. I also wanted to develop my leadership capabilities and have an impact by helping other people in need.”
Launched from a Boston shipyard in October 1797, Constitution is the only surviving vessel of the Navy’s original six frigates and is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat. The ship earned the nickname “Old Ironsides” during the War of 1812 after British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull. Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured or destroyed 33 enemy vessels in its nearly 60 years of active service.
Now, 227 years after its launch, Constitution’s primary mission is education and outreach, welcoming more than 500,000 visitors aboard each year. Its crew of more than 60 sailors is hand-picked to preserve and protect Constitution, while promoting naval history, maritime heritage and raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence. The ship’s original missions of defending American interests and protecting sea lanes to ensure commerce remain at the forefront of the Navy’s mission today.
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.
Kay has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud of being patient enough to get through adversity,” Kay said. “My career path has changed since I’ve been in. Being flexible and adaptable to those circumstances has helped, and being patient has also made a big impact. I’m also proud of maintaining my relationship with my wife, Emily. We lived apart for the first three years of our marriage. I was at school and then in Bahrain. We always had to travel to see each other, but we kept in touch pretty regularly. Being able to get through that together is a big accomplishment. We’re expecting our first child in November.”
Kay 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 is about contributing to something for more than just yourself,” Kay said. “It’s learning how to become a part of something bigger. Being in situations to forward deploy or to have those major impacts is a pursuit of excellence. I try to surround myself with people with high standards. There’s always a larger mission to contribute to; I try to find those opportunities.”
Kay is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife, Emily, for being supportive through all of the challenges we’ve faced,” Kay said. “My career in the Navy has been something she’s always had to work around. It’s been challenging for her because she’s in school. I also want to thank my mom and dad. They were separated when I was young, but they still raised me the same way, with similar values and how they did things. My dad placed a lot of value on my education, and my mom was more about looking inward, but they both put a big emphasis on treating others well. Finally, I want to thank my stepdad, who served in the Navy, both active duty and as a reservist, for 27 years. He was a huge influence on my decision to join the military and encouraged me to consider all of my options.”
Kay offered advice to anyone considering making a change or a big decision.
“I would encourage anyone to always embrace changes, even if things don’t work out the way you want them to,” Kay added. “Some doors close, but others will open. Embracing change and learning how to get through adversity is universal, no matter what you go through.”