PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Chief Petty Officer Malcolm Simmons, a native of Eupora, Mississippi, 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.
Simmons graduated from Eupora High School in 2005.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Eupora.
“Growing up in my hometown, there were limited opportunities,” Simmons said. “Some looked at us being from a small town with a fear of going outside of the boundaries. After graduating you were sure to do one of two things - go to school or go straight to work and make a living to support your family. Seeing the world was only a dream. Now when I return to my hometown it is a grounding experience but nonetheless a humbling experience to see where I came from because I feel like I've lived many peoples' dreams.”
Simmons joined the Navy 19 years ago. Today, Simmons serves as a hospital corpsman.
“I joined the Navy to give myself better opportunities,” Simmons said. “I was also interested in travel and money for college. The Navy helped me become independent and see the world. A list of the places the Navy has enabled me to see include Italy, Greece, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Bahrain, Spain, Dubai, Costa Rica, among many others.”
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.
Simmons has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of the courage it took to join the military,” Simmons said. “The drive for success the Navy gave me has contributed to purchasing two homes, earning my degree, seeing the world, earning the rank of chief petty officer and being close to retirement at the age of 39.”
As Simmons 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 everything to me,” Simmons said. “I see the difference I make in people's lives. I have become a role model to many, and gave many people that were battling fear the courage to step out in faith and make a change for the better. Success is scary but the regret of not stepping out is scarier.”
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.
Simmons is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would love to thank my entire family for believing in me and pushing me to my greatness,” added Simmons. “I would also like to thank the entire city of Eupora for helping me remain humble and for the work ethic I exhibit today.”
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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.
Simmons graduated from Eupora High School in 2005.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Eupora.
“Growing up in my hometown, there were limited opportunities,” Simmons said. “Some looked at us being from a small town with a fear of going outside of the boundaries. After graduating you were sure to do one of two things - go to school or go straight to work and make a living to support your family. Seeing the world was only a dream. Now when I return to my hometown it is a grounding experience but nonetheless a humbling experience to see where I came from because I feel like I've lived many peoples' dreams.”
Simmons joined the Navy 19 years ago. Today, Simmons serves as a hospital corpsman.
“I joined the Navy to give myself better opportunities,” Simmons said. “I was also interested in travel and money for college. The Navy helped me become independent and see the world. A list of the places the Navy has enabled me to see include Italy, Greece, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Bahrain, Spain, Dubai, Costa Rica, among many others.”
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.
Simmons has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of the courage it took to join the military,” Simmons said. “The drive for success the Navy gave me has contributed to purchasing two homes, earning my degree, seeing the world, earning the rank of chief petty officer and being close to retirement at the age of 39.”
As Simmons 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 everything to me,” Simmons said. “I see the difference I make in people's lives. I have become a role model to many, and gave many people that were battling fear the courage to step out in faith and make a change for the better. Success is scary but the regret of not stepping out is scarier.”
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.
Simmons is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would love to thank my entire family for believing in me and pushing me to my greatness,” added Simmons. “I would also like to thank the entire city of Eupora for helping me remain humble and for the work ethic I exhibit today.”