SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 3rd Class Miles Cray, a native of Bath, Maine, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Makin Island, an amphibious assault ship operating out of San Diego, California.
Cray graduated from Morris High School in 2020.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Bath.
“My parents and grandparents instilled a strong work ethic in me and the importance of perseverance, hard work and discipline,” Cray said. “They taught me early on that nothing in life comes easy, and you should never give up, no matter how difficult it may be. Following through on what you start mirrors the Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment.”
Cray joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Cray serves as a machinist’s mate.
“I joined the Navy because it was my childhood dream,” Cray said. “My hometown is known for its deep naval roots and strong sense of pride in supporting the fleet through shipbuilding. It’s home to Bath Iron Works, a shipyard owned by General Dynamics, and it’s often referred to as the ‘City of Shipbuilders.’ Being surrounded by that environment gave me an early appreciation for the dedication, teamwork and craftsmanship that go into supporting the Navy. I didn’t want to observe that legacy from the outside, I wanted to contribute to it in a more direct way.”
Makin Island plays a crucial role in projecting power and maintaining presence for naval forces. It serves as the cornerstone of amphibious operations, capable of carrying Marines, their equipment and aircraft to execute a wide range of missions, from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to full-scale amphibious assaults.
This ship enables forces to rapidly deploy and sustain operations in littoral (near-shore) environments, providing a versatile platform for achieving strategic objectives across the globe. Resembling a small aircraft carrier, Makin Island’s crew is made up of approximately 1,200 officers and enlisted personnel and can accommodate up to 1,800 Marines.
Cray has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of earning both Snipe of the Month and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal,” Cray said. “Each of these accomplishments reflects the hard work, dedication and commitment I’ve put into my career. I take pride in maintaining high standards, supporting my team, and ensuring the mission was accomplished efficiently and safely. I am proud of these accomplishments because they represent not only personal success, but also my ability to contribute meaningfully to my team and the Navy’s mission.”
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 taking on the responsibility to defend our country and protect the freedoms that we often take for granted,” Cray said. “It represents being part of something bigger than myself; standing alongside others who are committed to safeguarding our nation from any threats it may face. The Navy has given me the opportunity to better myself by learning a valuable trade and developing skills that will benefit me both during and after my military career.”
Cray is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents and grandparents,” Cray said. “They were always there for me when I’ve needed them throughout my life and in the Navy. Their constant support, encouragement and belief in me helped shape who I am today. They have always been my foundation, offering love, wisdom and guidance that have kept me grounded no matter where I am.”
Cray has plans for the future after the Navy and is working to achieve those goals.
“I plan to apply to college to earn a civil engineering degree,” Cray said. “I want to work for NASA, so I need to go into a specific STEM field to accomplish that.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Rollo, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Cray graduated from Morris High School in 2020.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Bath.
“My parents and grandparents instilled a strong work ethic in me and the importance of perseverance, hard work and discipline,” Cray said. “They taught me early on that nothing in life comes easy, and you should never give up, no matter how difficult it may be. Following through on what you start mirrors the Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment.”
Cray joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Cray serves as a machinist’s mate.
“I joined the Navy because it was my childhood dream,” Cray said. “My hometown is known for its deep naval roots and strong sense of pride in supporting the fleet through shipbuilding. It’s home to Bath Iron Works, a shipyard owned by General Dynamics, and it’s often referred to as the ‘City of Shipbuilders.’ Being surrounded by that environment gave me an early appreciation for the dedication, teamwork and craftsmanship that go into supporting the Navy. I didn’t want to observe that legacy from the outside, I wanted to contribute to it in a more direct way.”
Makin Island plays a crucial role in projecting power and maintaining presence for naval forces. It serves as the cornerstone of amphibious operations, capable of carrying Marines, their equipment and aircraft to execute a wide range of missions, from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to full-scale amphibious assaults.
This ship enables forces to rapidly deploy and sustain operations in littoral (near-shore) environments, providing a versatile platform for achieving strategic objectives across the globe. Resembling a small aircraft carrier, Makin Island’s crew is made up of approximately 1,200 officers and enlisted personnel and can accommodate up to 1,800 Marines.
Cray has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of earning both Snipe of the Month and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal,” Cray said. “Each of these accomplishments reflects the hard work, dedication and commitment I’ve put into my career. I take pride in maintaining high standards, supporting my team, and ensuring the mission was accomplished efficiently and safely. I am proud of these accomplishments because they represent not only personal success, but also my ability to contribute meaningfully to my team and the Navy’s mission.”
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 taking on the responsibility to defend our country and protect the freedoms that we often take for granted,” Cray said. “It represents being part of something bigger than myself; standing alongside others who are committed to safeguarding our nation from any threats it may face. The Navy has given me the opportunity to better myself by learning a valuable trade and developing skills that will benefit me both during and after my military career.”
Cray is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents and grandparents,” Cray said. “They were always there for me when I’ve needed them throughout my life and in the Navy. Their constant support, encouragement and belief in me helped shape who I am today. They have always been my foundation, offering love, wisdom and guidance that have kept me grounded no matter where I am.”
Cray has plans for the future after the Navy and is working to achieve those goals.
“I plan to apply to college to earn a civil engineering degree,” Cray said. “I want to work for NASA, so I need to go into a specific STEM field to accomplish that.”