MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Colton Ferrin, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, was recently chosen for Carrier Strike Group Eight (CSG-8)’s Sailor Shout Out program.
CSG-8, based in Norfolk, Virginia, is highlighting the sailors whose skill, courage and ingenuity drive mission success every day. Lethality at CSG-8 begins with its sailors, because there is no substitute for trained, trusted and ready sailors.
Ferrin, who graduated from Fleming Island High School in 2018, served in the Marine Corps for four years before joining the Navy. Ferrin spent a year with the Navy Reserve and went on active duty with the Navy in 2023.
Today, Ferrin serves as a religious program specialist aboard USS Harry S. Truman, one of the Navy’s most decorated aircraft carriers, responsible for launching and landing various types of aircraft to project decisive combat power. Truman returned from a combat deployment on June 1 after eight months of operations in Europe and the Middle East.
Ferrin is in the spotlight for leading with integrity, discipline and professionalism, and he cites his transition from the Marine Corps to the Navy as vital to his success.
“I converted to the Navy due to a higher calling of duty and a change in environment,” Ferrin said. “The Marine Corps taught me resiliency, hard work and discipline, and I wanted to bring that over to the Navy. I am big on mental health and that is why I chose to work as a religious program specialist. I would be in a position where I could help any sailor in need, regardless of the situation, and get them the help they need.”
Serving as a Marine gave Ferrin an advantage coming into the Navy, the sailor said.
“My transition was not easy, though,” Ferrin said. “It was a culture shock going from one branch to another – learning how to wear a different uniform, rules and regulations, standard operating procedures and most importantly, the people. Sailors are vastly different from Marines, and I had to adapt to my surroundings while still holding onto my Marine Corps mentality.
“For the time I have been in, I have adjusted and thrived in the Navy, all thanks to the Marine Corps. I never forgot where I came from and I have continued to grow.”
Carrier strike groups are the cornerstone of the Navy’s forward presence through sea control and power projection.
CSG-8 consists of the flagship, USS Harry S. Truman; Carrier Air Wing 1; staffs from CSG-8; the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Gettysburg; and two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Stout and USS Cole. CSG-8’s mission is to conduct prompt and sustained combat, incident to operations at sea, by building and employing a trained, ready carrier strike group prepared when called upon to achieve the warfighting objectives of any assigned joint force or fleet commander worldwide.
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.
Ferrin serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security. As Ferrin and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
For more information about CSG-8, visit CSG-8’s social media at facebook.com/ccsg8, on Instagram at @carrierstrikegroup8, or check out its website at c2f.usff.navy.mil/csg8.