SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 1st Class Sydney Bullock, a native of Raymore, Missouri, 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 |
Bullock graduated from Raymore-Peculiar High School in 2014 and is working toward a degree through Roger Williams University.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Raymore.
“Growing up in my hometown taught me the importance of hard work and strong community bonds,” Bullock said. “It takes a village to do great things. Community makes all of the difference in the Navy. I’ve had a strong support system in many directions. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the work of many, many people.”
Bullock joined the Navy 11 years ago. Today, Bullock serves as a legalman.
“Seeing the profound wisdom and character of those in my family who served motivated me to join the Navy to challenge myself,” Bullock said. “Both of my grandfathers, a cousin, an aunt and some uncles all served. They had very good emotional and general intelligence and a wonderful outlook on life. They all seemed stable too, that was the common denominator, and I wanted to see what was on the other side for myself.”
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.
Bullock has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of transitioning from a technical field to an administrative field, which required perseverance and initiative,” Bullock said. “I was working on aircraft and flight deck equipment, doing maintenance and supporting air operations. Now the Navy has been gracious enough to allow me to serve in an administrative role, which is paralegal-related work. I enjoy being able to work where I can serve the Navy in my best capacity, because it is something I enjoy doing each and every day. I’m proud of this because I assist commands in upholding integrity and good order and discipline.”
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 committing to a life of continuous self-improvement, for myself and those around me as a leader and a human,” Bullock said. “From the beginning of my naval career, and very much during my transition to legalman, and waiting to see if the Navy would allow me to serve in my best capacity, I focused on continuous self-improvement. I have been putting myself in situations where I am navigating how to best support the junior and senior people around me. That’s what self-improvement looks like. Self-improvement to me looks like being your best each and every day.”
Bullock is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank Jesus first,” Bullock said. “My faith has driven me to be more intentional to each moment, and how I react. It has allowed me to worry less and focus on doing my best. I also want to thank my mother and grandfather, who played a huge role in supporting me along the way. Through every phase of my career, my mother always loved on me, no matter the trial or tribulation. My Papa was always the voice of reason. He had a more than 25-year career enlisted in the Air Force. He always has a level head and has always provided me direction.”