PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Jacobs, a native of Marksville, Louisiana, 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.
Jacobs graduated from Marksville High School in 2002.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Marksville.
“My moral compass was built on the idea that character is defined by the choices you make in private,” said Jacobs. “I learned integrity. I always do the right thing even when no one is looking and stand on what you believe in no matter the cost.”
Jacobs joined the Navy 23 years ago. Today, Jacobs serves as an aviation boatswain's mate (handling).
“I joined the Navy following my family's career advice to gain life experience and global perspective,” said Jacobs. “My oldest brother and brother-in-law were active duty Navy. My brother served 20+ years and always told me, 'If you don’t want to go to college after high school, join the military.' It also afforded me the opportunity to travel the world and meet new people and different cultures.”
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.
Jacobs has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I take great pride in the longevity of my service and the internal drive that keeps me moving forward,” said Jacobs. “I am proud to have served as long as I have, but I am even more proud to still have the motivation to keep going and contribute to the mission every day.”
As Jacobs and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“I view my service as a personal commitment to the stability and security that has allowed me to build a thriving life for myself and my loved ones,” said Jacobs. “The Navy is the best thing to ever happen to me. It allowed me to start a beautiful family, build my first home, and enabled me to have a sense of job security throughout my career.”
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.
Jacobs is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I attribute my persistence in the face of adversity to the collective belief and encouragement of my entire family,” added Jacobs. “I would like to thank my entire family, everyone who stood with me and continued to believe in and support me. Even when I felt like giving up or the fight was too tough, they encouraged me to keep on going and pushing through.”
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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.
Jacobs graduated from Marksville High School in 2002.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Marksville.
“My moral compass was built on the idea that character is defined by the choices you make in private,” said Jacobs. “I learned integrity. I always do the right thing even when no one is looking and stand on what you believe in no matter the cost.”
Jacobs joined the Navy 23 years ago. Today, Jacobs serves as an aviation boatswain's mate (handling).
“I joined the Navy following my family's career advice to gain life experience and global perspective,” said Jacobs. “My oldest brother and brother-in-law were active duty Navy. My brother served 20+ years and always told me, 'If you don’t want to go to college after high school, join the military.' It also afforded me the opportunity to travel the world and meet new people and different cultures.”
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.
Jacobs has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I take great pride in the longevity of my service and the internal drive that keeps me moving forward,” said Jacobs. “I am proud to have served as long as I have, but I am even more proud to still have the motivation to keep going and contribute to the mission every day.”
As Jacobs and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“I view my service as a personal commitment to the stability and security that has allowed me to build a thriving life for myself and my loved ones,” said Jacobs. “The Navy is the best thing to ever happen to me. It allowed me to start a beautiful family, build my first home, and enabled me to have a sense of job security throughout my career.”
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.
Jacobs is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I attribute my persistence in the face of adversity to the collective belief and encouragement of my entire family,” added Jacobs. “I would like to thank my entire family, everyone who stood with me and continued to believe in and support me. Even when I felt like giving up or the fight was too tough, they encouraged me to keep on going and pushing through.”