PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Seaman Recruit Paris Lewis, a native of Decatur, Georgia, 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.
Lewis graduated from Southwest Dekalb High School in 2024.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Decatur.
“Growing up I did competitive cheerleading for about 13 years where they teach being able to fall, get kicked, mess up and keep going without making it obvious to everyone that you just messed up,” Lewis said. “This followed me to the Navy because you will make mistakes in your career for sure, but it doesn't make it any better when you mess up and feel too disappointed to recover. Taking a hit and continuing is heavily emphasized in the Navy, and I am glad to already have a previous taste of what that's like.”
Lewis joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Lewis serves as a yeoman.
“I joined the Navy to set myself up for my future and to go to college to hopefully pursue my dream of becoming a veterinarian,” Lewis said. “I was very hesitant on leaving until my big brother went through Marine boot camp which finalized the decision for me to join. ”
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.
Lewis has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment was graduating boot camp and being named a sailor,” Lewis said. “I went into boot camp thinking a girl like me could never make it through. I had absolutely no faith in myself, but boot camp taught me a lot about myself and showed me I'm actually a lot tougher than I thought.”
As Lewis and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“Personally, I am honored to serve in the military,” Lewis said. “It allowed me to challenge myself far beyond my comfort zone. The Navy surrounded me with a circle of people who wouldn't let me quit and give up on myself.”
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.
Lewis is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mom, Gwendolyn, who supported me from the day I told her I considered this career path and held me to my word from the very beginning,” added Lewis. “She gave me encouraging words in boot camp and wrote to me a thousand times which is truly what kept me going. I would also like to thank my brother, Caden, for the tough love he gave me over the phone in boot camp as well that kept me going.”
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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.
Lewis graduated from Southwest Dekalb High School in 2024.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Decatur.
“Growing up I did competitive cheerleading for about 13 years where they teach being able to fall, get kicked, mess up and keep going without making it obvious to everyone that you just messed up,” Lewis said. “This followed me to the Navy because you will make mistakes in your career for sure, but it doesn't make it any better when you mess up and feel too disappointed to recover. Taking a hit and continuing is heavily emphasized in the Navy, and I am glad to already have a previous taste of what that's like.”
Lewis joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Lewis serves as a yeoman.
“I joined the Navy to set myself up for my future and to go to college to hopefully pursue my dream of becoming a veterinarian,” Lewis said. “I was very hesitant on leaving until my big brother went through Marine boot camp which finalized the decision for me to join. ”
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.
Lewis has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment was graduating boot camp and being named a sailor,” Lewis said. “I went into boot camp thinking a girl like me could never make it through. I had absolutely no faith in myself, but boot camp taught me a lot about myself and showed me I'm actually a lot tougher than I thought.”
As Lewis and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“Personally, I am honored to serve in the military,” Lewis said. “It allowed me to challenge myself far beyond my comfort zone. The Navy surrounded me with a circle of people who wouldn't let me quit and give up on myself.”
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.
Lewis is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mom, Gwendolyn, who supported me from the day I told her I considered this career path and held me to my word from the very beginning,” added Lewis. “She gave me encouraging words in boot camp and wrote to me a thousand times which is truly what kept me going. I would also like to thank my brother, Caden, for the tough love he gave me over the phone in boot camp as well that kept me going.”