SAN DIEGO - Seaman Darnell Jackson, a native of Englewood, New Jersey, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific (CNAP), supporting naval aviation around the world.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Caleb Kissner, Fleet Public Affairs Center San Diego |
Jackson graduated from Teaneck High School in 2018.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Englewood.
“Growing up in my hometown, I worked a lot of jobs, which taught me the importance of having a strong work ethic and to keep going no matter what,” Jackson said.
Jackson joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Jackson serves as a yeoman.
“My uncle, Senior Chief McClinton, is currently serving in the Navy as a Navy Career Counselor,” Jackson said. “I joined the Navy to follow in his footsteps. I wanted to start a new lifestyle with my wife, Sasha Jackson, and make my parents proud.”
Based at Naval Air Station North Island, California, CNAP falls under Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF), which oversees the Navy’s aircraft wings, squadrons, aircraft carriers, support facilities and training commands. CNAF is responsible for manning, training and equipping deployable, combat-ready naval aviation forces to compete and win in any environment.
“Our people are the very essence of naval aviation,” said Vice Adm. Douglas Verissimo, the commander of Naval Air Forces, also known as the ‘Air Boss.’ “Each individual’s commitment to excellence, from the flight deck to the maintenance bay, is what allows us to project power and ensure our nation’s security. It’s the dedication of every sailor and officer from every state and territory that fuels our warfighting readiness and guarantees our success in any environment.”
Naval aviation provides the Navy and our nation with a flexible, adaptable and lethal force to preserve peace, respond in crises and win decisively in combat. The U.S. Navy maintains and operates more than 2,000 aircraft to fulfill various mission sets in order to preserve the American way of life and ensure freedom, security and prosperity.
Jackson has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“On the USS Portland, I got qualified as a team leader for damage control and was able to help Yeoman 3rd Class Oseguera get hers as well,” Jackson said. “I am proud of this because I helped a sailor achieve her qualifications the same day as me.”
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.
“Serving in the Navy means everything to me,” Jackson said. “It gives me a chance to better myself while protecting the ones I love.”
Jackson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my dad, Gerald Shavis, and my mom, Simone Shavis, for their support,” Jackson said.