PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Seaman Apprentice Tazayiaha Crawford, a native of Statesboro, Georgia, 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.
Crawford graduated from Statesboro High School in 2024.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Statesboro.
“I learned the importance of discipline,” Crawford said. “I also learned to respect my elders and respect the rank of those who have more experience than me.”
Crawford joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Crawford serves as a quartermaster.
“I joined the Navy for stability,” Crawford said. “I didn't want all the debt that would be required if I went straight to college after high school. Now, if I choose to go to college, I'll have the resources to earn my degree without going into debt.”
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.
Crawford has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of being stationed in Japan,” Crawford said. “I served for about six months in Yokosuka assigned to USS Milius.”
As Crawford 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 pushing myself to be sharper than I was yesterday,” Crawford said.
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.
Crawford is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom and brother for always being there for me when I felt like giving up,” added Crawford.
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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.
Crawford graduated from Statesboro High School in 2024.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Statesboro.
“I learned the importance of discipline,” Crawford said. “I also learned to respect my elders and respect the rank of those who have more experience than me.”
Crawford joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Crawford serves as a quartermaster.
“I joined the Navy for stability,” Crawford said. “I didn't want all the debt that would be required if I went straight to college after high school. Now, if I choose to go to college, I'll have the resources to earn my degree without going into debt.”
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.
Crawford has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of being stationed in Japan,” Crawford said. “I served for about six months in Yokosuka assigned to USS Milius.”
As Crawford 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 pushing myself to be sharper than I was yesterday,” Crawford said.
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.
Crawford is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom and brother for always being there for me when I felt like giving up,” added Crawford.