PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Airman Apprentice Paul Riley, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, 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.
Riley graduated from William Raines High School in 2023.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Jacksonville.
“I learned to keep going and never look back, whatever happens,” said Riley.
Riley joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Riley serves as an aviation maintenance administrationman.
“I joined the Navy to travel the world and explore different places,” said Riley. “And I want to have a great career.”
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.
Riley has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“Ranking up is my proudest accomplishment,” said Riley. “I’m proud of the work that I put in to be where I am at.”
As Riley and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“It means a lot to me,” said Riley. “My dad and my grandfather were in the Navy. My dad was a damage controlman, and my grandfather was a boatswain’s mate. Growing up, I knew I wanted to be in the Navy to follow in their footsteps.”
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.
Riley is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my parents, my uncle and auntie Boykins, who always encouraged me to join,” added Riley.
Riley always thinks about a quote that keeps him going.
“Never say never,” said Riley. “When I saw the videos of boot camp in high school, I thought I could never do that. But I went through it, and after the first three weeks, it wasn’t so bad.”
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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.
Riley graduated from William Raines High School in 2023.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Jacksonville.
“I learned to keep going and never look back, whatever happens,” said Riley.
Riley joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Riley serves as an aviation maintenance administrationman.
“I joined the Navy to travel the world and explore different places,” said Riley. “And I want to have a great career.”
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.
Riley has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“Ranking up is my proudest accomplishment,” said Riley. “I’m proud of the work that I put in to be where I am at.”
As Riley and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“It means a lot to me,” said Riley. “My dad and my grandfather were in the Navy. My dad was a damage controlman, and my grandfather was a boatswain’s mate. Growing up, I knew I wanted to be in the Navy to follow in their footsteps.”
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.
Riley is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my parents, my uncle and auntie Boykins, who always encouraged me to join,” added Riley.
Riley always thinks about a quote that keeps him going.
“Never say never,” said Riley. “When I saw the videos of boot camp in high school, I thought I could never do that. But I went through it, and after the first three weeks, it wasn’t so bad.”