SAN DIEGO - Airman Apprentice Ryan Veerman, a native of Wilson, North Carolina, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Carl Vinson, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of San Diego, California.
Veerman graduated from Weddington High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Wilson.
“In my hometown, I worked different jobs such as a tractor supply representative and doing inventory at a hospital,” Veerman said. “These different jobs taught me the value of hard work and dedication.”
Veerman joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Veerman serves as an undesignated sailor in the Airman Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (A/PACT) program.
“I joined the Navy for the opportunity to give back to my amazing country,” Veerman said. “I'm the first one in my family to join. I think that this country has given us as citizens a lot and it would be nice if we can give back to it.”
Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.
Carl Vinson returned in August 2025 from a nine-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations, during which it conducted freedom of navigation operations, multinational exercises with U.S. allies and partners, and combat operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Back in its homeport of San Diego, Carl Vinson remains a combat-ready force dedicated to protecting and defending the United States.
Among the largest warships in the world, USS Carl Vinson is longer than three football fields at 1,092 feet. The ship is 252 feet wide and weighs more than 100,000 tons. More than 5,000 sailors serve aboard these self-contained mobile airports.
According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and combat capability of its air wing.
“The might of this ship doesn’t just come from its advanced technology, but from the skillful, resilient and courageous men and women who serve aboard,” said Capt. Joshua Wenker, commanding officer of Carl Vinson. “Our sailors have always been, and will always be, our greatest asset. Their hard work, dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence ensure that we execute the mission aboard America’s Favorite Carrier with pride and precision every single day.”
Veerman has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I felt a sense of pride graduating boot camp with all of my friends,” Veerman said. “All the tests and physically taxing requirements made graduating that much more meaningful once graduation day arrived.”
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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
“It gives me a chance to better myself while getting the opportunity to protect my family, friends, and loved ones,” Veerman said. “I'm able to feel a sense of confidence knowing that my parents and my sister are safe back home.”
Veerman is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank both my mother and my father for supporting me in my decision to join the Navy,” Veerman said. “They have both been there for me from the beginning and I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for them.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Caleb Kissner, Fleet Public Affairs Center San Diego |
Veerman graduated from Weddington High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Wilson.
“In my hometown, I worked different jobs such as a tractor supply representative and doing inventory at a hospital,” Veerman said. “These different jobs taught me the value of hard work and dedication.”
Veerman joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Veerman serves as an undesignated sailor in the Airman Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (A/PACT) program.
“I joined the Navy for the opportunity to give back to my amazing country,” Veerman said. “I'm the first one in my family to join. I think that this country has given us as citizens a lot and it would be nice if we can give back to it.”
Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.
Carl Vinson returned in August 2025 from a nine-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations, during which it conducted freedom of navigation operations, multinational exercises with U.S. allies and partners, and combat operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Back in its homeport of San Diego, Carl Vinson remains a combat-ready force dedicated to protecting and defending the United States.
Among the largest warships in the world, USS Carl Vinson is longer than three football fields at 1,092 feet. The ship is 252 feet wide and weighs more than 100,000 tons. More than 5,000 sailors serve aboard these self-contained mobile airports.
According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and combat capability of its air wing.
“The might of this ship doesn’t just come from its advanced technology, but from the skillful, resilient and courageous men and women who serve aboard,” said Capt. Joshua Wenker, commanding officer of Carl Vinson. “Our sailors have always been, and will always be, our greatest asset. Their hard work, dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence ensure that we execute the mission aboard America’s Favorite Carrier with pride and precision every single day.”
Veerman has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I felt a sense of pride graduating boot camp with all of my friends,” Veerman said. “All the tests and physically taxing requirements made graduating that much more meaningful once graduation day arrived.”
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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
“It gives me a chance to better myself while getting the opportunity to protect my family, friends, and loved ones,” Veerman said. “I'm able to feel a sense of confidence knowing that my parents and my sister are safe back home.”
Veerman is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank both my mother and my father for supporting me in my decision to join the Navy,” Veerman said. “They have both been there for me from the beginning and I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for them.”
Veerman reflects on the next steps with the Navy.
“I enjoy the Navy lifestyle and plan on staying in and retiring,” Veerman said. “I will further my Navy career and look at picking up not only a rate, but also find out where I fit in the naval aviation family.”
“I enjoy the Navy lifestyle and plan on staying in and retiring,” Veerman said. “I will further my Navy career and look at picking up not only a rate, but also find out where I fit in the naval aviation family.”