PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Petty Officer 1st Class Brittany Kirschbaum, a native of Addison, Illinois, serves aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Bougainville, in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
PCU is a designation used by the U.S. Navy to describe crews aboard vessels under construction prior to official commissioning. As one of the Secretary of the Navy’s priorities, America’s shipbuilding industry is a national security asset that strengthens deterrence, enhances global readiness, and keeps the fleet forward. Modernization efforts are creating American jobs, revitalizing communities, and fueling innovation.
Kirschbaum graduated from Addison Trail High School in 2010. Additionally, Kirschbaum earned an associate degree in business from College of DuPage in 2015.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Addison.
“I worked for American Airlines at the air operations,” said Kirschbaum. “It was long hours and stressful, which helped me adapt to military life. I was doing school full-time as well.”
Kirschbaum joined the Navy 10 years ago. Today, Kirschbaum serves as a yeoman.
“I joined the Navy because my grandfather was in the service and a big history buff,” said Kirschbaum. “I also joined to travel, because it's what makes me happy, and for the educational benefits. I’ve been to the 5th Fleet area, Portugal, Israel, Djibouti and Oman.”
This is the second ship named in honor of the Bougainville World War II campaign. As a large-deck amphibious assault ship, Bougainville is nearly three football fields long, with a crew of more than 1,200 that can support up to 1,800 troops and their equipment.
Kirschbaum has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud of making rank as quickly as I did,” said Kirschbaum. “I received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal from the previous Secretary of the Navy for my work.”
As Kirschbaum and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means protecting others, and I’m very patriotic,” said Kirschbaum. “It taught me to be resilient, work ethic and skills to be a good leader”
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.
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 trained sailors and a strong Navy.
Kirschbaum is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mom, Amy, and my dad, Scott, for being there when I needed them,” added Kirschbaum. “I would also like to thank my mentor, YN1 Krystal Nobles. I would like to thank my aunt, Beth, my uncle Lenny, and my brother Jason, who have been good supporters."
Kirschbaum also had a chance to shine for the service in the military.
“I got recognized at the Chicago Blackhawk game in 2025 for their military hero salute program,” said Kirschbaum.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hunter Harwell, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
PCU is a designation used by the U.S. Navy to describe crews aboard vessels under construction prior to official commissioning. As one of the Secretary of the Navy’s priorities, America’s shipbuilding industry is a national security asset that strengthens deterrence, enhances global readiness, and keeps the fleet forward. Modernization efforts are creating American jobs, revitalizing communities, and fueling innovation.
Kirschbaum graduated from Addison Trail High School in 2010. Additionally, Kirschbaum earned an associate degree in business from College of DuPage in 2015.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Addison.
“I worked for American Airlines at the air operations,” said Kirschbaum. “It was long hours and stressful, which helped me adapt to military life. I was doing school full-time as well.”
Kirschbaum joined the Navy 10 years ago. Today, Kirschbaum serves as a yeoman.
“I joined the Navy because my grandfather was in the service and a big history buff,” said Kirschbaum. “I also joined to travel, because it's what makes me happy, and for the educational benefits. I’ve been to the 5th Fleet area, Portugal, Israel, Djibouti and Oman.”
This is the second ship named in honor of the Bougainville World War II campaign. As a large-deck amphibious assault ship, Bougainville is nearly three football fields long, with a crew of more than 1,200 that can support up to 1,800 troops and their equipment.
Kirschbaum has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud of making rank as quickly as I did,” said Kirschbaum. “I received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal from the previous Secretary of the Navy for my work.”
As Kirschbaum and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means protecting others, and I’m very patriotic,” said Kirschbaum. “It taught me to be resilient, work ethic and skills to be a good leader”
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.
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 trained sailors and a strong Navy.
Kirschbaum is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mom, Amy, and my dad, Scott, for being there when I needed them,” added Kirschbaum. “I would also like to thank my mentor, YN1 Krystal Nobles. I would like to thank my aunt, Beth, my uncle Lenny, and my brother Jason, who have been good supporters."
Kirschbaum also had a chance to shine for the service in the military.
“I got recognized at the Chicago Blackhawk game in 2025 for their military hero salute program,” said Kirschbaum.