MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Seaman Antonia Sapp, a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, serving aboard USS Farragut, completed a port visit to Mobile, Alabama, Feb. 13-17, to take part in the city's annual Mardi Gras celebration.
Sailors aboard the ship brought with them the experiences and hometown pride that shape their naval service.
Sapp graduated from Caddo Parish Magnet High School in 2022.
“Playing professional soccer in Germany helped me learn a lot about teamwork and how much the morale of the team, or group you are in, matters,” Sapp said.
Sapp has served in the Navy for one year. Sapp said the decision to join was driven by long-term goals.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to help pave the way for women to be in special forces,” Sapp said. “My dream in the Navy is to be a Navy SEAL.”
Sapp serves aboard Farragut as an operations specialist.
“My favorite part of being an operations specialist is that there is always more to learn,” Sapp said. “Whether that is more qualifications in rate, or being able to do things out of rate like becoming a search-and-rescue swimmer.”
Farragut is homeported in Mayport, Florida, and assigned to Commander, Naval Surface Group Southeast. Farragut supports multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities and is capable of conducting sustained combat operations across multiple domains.
Farragut is named after the U.S. Navy’s first admiral, Adm. David Farragut. During the Civil War, Farragut’s final victory was over the Battle of Mobile Bay in Mobile, Alabama, the Confederacy’s last major open port on the Gulf.
As the oldest organized Mardi Gras in the United States, Mobile provides a unique opportunity for sailors aboard Farragut to engage with the local community and showcase the pride and professionalism of the U.S. Navy.
During the visit, Farragut participated in a variety of events in the community, including marching in Mobile’s historic Floral Parade. In addition to several local outreach events, the warship offered public tours throughout the week, providing locals and visitors with a unique opportunity to step aboard and learn more about life and operations on a U.S. Navy warship.
Mobile’s annual Mardi Gras celebration with the U.S. Navy has been an ongoing and storied partnership going back over 100 years. Farragut has visited Mobile twice previously during Mardi Gras, and several officers and crew have family ties to this area. These port visits allow crew members to connect with the public they serve, share in national celebrations, and foster pride in their service and dedication.
For Sapp, one accomplishment stands out during military service.
“I am still very proud of being the commanding officer’s top six when I graduated boot camp,” Sapp said. “I also graduated at the top of my class in ‘A’ school. But I am most proud of being able to attend search-and-rescue school and getting closer and closer.”
Sapp serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Being able to serve in the U.S. Navy is a true honor,” Sapp said. “It makes you a better person every day and challenges you in ways that nothing else would or could.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity. More information is available here: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/.
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.
Sailors aboard the ship brought with them the experiences and hometown pride that shape their naval service.
Sapp graduated from Caddo Parish Magnet High School in 2022.
“Playing professional soccer in Germany helped me learn a lot about teamwork and how much the morale of the team, or group you are in, matters,” Sapp said.
Sapp has served in the Navy for one year. Sapp said the decision to join was driven by long-term goals.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to help pave the way for women to be in special forces,” Sapp said. “My dream in the Navy is to be a Navy SEAL.”
Sapp serves aboard Farragut as an operations specialist.
“My favorite part of being an operations specialist is that there is always more to learn,” Sapp said. “Whether that is more qualifications in rate, or being able to do things out of rate like becoming a search-and-rescue swimmer.”
Farragut is homeported in Mayport, Florida, and assigned to Commander, Naval Surface Group Southeast. Farragut supports multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities and is capable of conducting sustained combat operations across multiple domains.
Farragut is named after the U.S. Navy’s first admiral, Adm. David Farragut. During the Civil War, Farragut’s final victory was over the Battle of Mobile Bay in Mobile, Alabama, the Confederacy’s last major open port on the Gulf.
As the oldest organized Mardi Gras in the United States, Mobile provides a unique opportunity for sailors aboard Farragut to engage with the local community and showcase the pride and professionalism of the U.S. Navy.
During the visit, Farragut participated in a variety of events in the community, including marching in Mobile’s historic Floral Parade. In addition to several local outreach events, the warship offered public tours throughout the week, providing locals and visitors with a unique opportunity to step aboard and learn more about life and operations on a U.S. Navy warship.
Mobile’s annual Mardi Gras celebration with the U.S. Navy has been an ongoing and storied partnership going back over 100 years. Farragut has visited Mobile twice previously during Mardi Gras, and several officers and crew have family ties to this area. These port visits allow crew members to connect with the public they serve, share in national celebrations, and foster pride in their service and dedication.
For Sapp, one accomplishment stands out during military service.
“I am still very proud of being the commanding officer’s top six when I graduated boot camp,” Sapp said. “I also graduated at the top of my class in ‘A’ school. But I am most proud of being able to attend search-and-rescue school and getting closer and closer.”
Sapp serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Being able to serve in the U.S. Navy is a true honor,” Sapp said. “It makes you a better person every day and challenges you in ways that nothing else would or could.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity. More information is available here: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/.
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.