PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Petty Officer 1st Class Christen Knight, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, 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.
Knight graduated from Rockwood Summit High School in 2013.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in St. Louis.
“I learned to be respectful,” said Knight. “Knowing that you get what you give.”
Knight joined the Navy 10 years ago. Today, Knight serves as an interior communications electrician.
“I joined the Navy as my plan C,” said Knight. “My plan A was to go to college, and my plan B was to go to a tech school. The first two plans fell through, so I joined the Navy for financial and educational benefits.”
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.
Knight has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is when I made E-5 and meeting people along the way,” said Knight. “I’m really proud of the relationships that I have throughout my career. It took me many years to make E-5, and I had to try multiple times, and that effort helped me make E-6 easier.”
As Knight and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
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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.
Knight graduated from Rockwood Summit High School in 2013.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in St. Louis.
“I learned to be respectful,” said Knight. “Knowing that you get what you give.”
Knight joined the Navy 10 years ago. Today, Knight serves as an interior communications electrician.
“I joined the Navy as my plan C,” said Knight. “My plan A was to go to college, and my plan B was to go to a tech school. The first two plans fell through, so I joined the Navy for financial and educational benefits.”
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.
Knight has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is when I made E-5 and meeting people along the way,” said Knight. “I’m really proud of the relationships that I have throughout my career. It took me many years to make E-5, and I had to try multiple times, and that effort helped me make E-6 easier.”
As Knight 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 that I have a baseline, such as stability and comfort, of what my life should be, and that gives me opportunities to do better,” said Knight.
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.
Knight is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom, because she initially put me in a position that forced me to make a decision,” added Knight. “I had to make a decision to progress my life.”
Knight was able to make progress toward personal goals in life while serving.
“Buying my first house is also my proudest accomplishment,” said Knight. “I always wanted to own three duplexes, and being in the Navy gave me the opportunities to get there. That was originally my mom’s dream, and she promised us those houses. Seeing it fall through motivated me to get my own.”