PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Petty Officer 1st Class Sasha Blair, a native of Oxford, Massachusetts, 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.
Blair graduated from North High School in 2006.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Oxford.
“I moved around a lot, to include going to several different schools,” Blair said. “I learned from my experiences that I am adaptable. I can always make a friend, and I can make the worst situation into the best. It helped to build my work ethic and communications skills.”
Blair joined the Navy 11 years ago. Today, Blair serves as a legalman.
“I was looking for more in life,” Blair said. “I wanted a career and to see more of the world. Since my mom and dad were prior active Navy I thought this was the best thing to offer me a steady sense of purpose and commitment.”
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.
Blair has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest moment was when I got picked up to become a legalman,” Blair said. “I came into the Navy undesignated without a specific job, and I had to put in a lot of work to be picked up. It was the best decision I have ever made, becoming a legalman.”
As Blair 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 has given me my sense of purpose and helped me shape who I am,” Blair said. “Every opportunity has granted me a life experience that has helped to improve where I go next in life. I can overcome so many obstacles thrown at me in life.”
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.
Blair is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my friends and of course my family who have seen me grow into the person I am today,” added Blair. “Without their support it would not have been as easy to be away for so long to do what I need to do.”
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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.
Blair graduated from North High School in 2006.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Oxford.
“I moved around a lot, to include going to several different schools,” Blair said. “I learned from my experiences that I am adaptable. I can always make a friend, and I can make the worst situation into the best. It helped to build my work ethic and communications skills.”
Blair joined the Navy 11 years ago. Today, Blair serves as a legalman.
“I was looking for more in life,” Blair said. “I wanted a career and to see more of the world. Since my mom and dad were prior active Navy I thought this was the best thing to offer me a steady sense of purpose and commitment.”
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.
Blair has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest moment was when I got picked up to become a legalman,” Blair said. “I came into the Navy undesignated without a specific job, and I had to put in a lot of work to be picked up. It was the best decision I have ever made, becoming a legalman.”
As Blair 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 has given me my sense of purpose and helped me shape who I am,” Blair said. “Every opportunity has granted me a life experience that has helped to improve where I go next in life. I can overcome so many obstacles thrown at me in life.”
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.
Blair is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my friends and of course my family who have seen me grow into the person I am today,” added Blair. “Without their support it would not have been as easy to be away for so long to do what I need to do.”