LEMOORE, Calif. - Every sailor’s story of naval service is unique. For Petty Officer 2nd Class Gorgeous McGhee, this story has ties to Bolingbrook, Illinois, where skills and values learned there are foundational to success in the Navy.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mitch Meppelink |
“My hometown taught me the importance of creativity,” McGhee said. “One of the biggest influences was my grandpa. He was a very creative man and kept me busy with many hobbies. He helped me develop pride in my own work, patience and creativity. Even though I didn’t always realize it growing up, those lessons stuck with me, and I apply that same mindset every day.”
McGhee graduated from Bolingbrook High School in 2019.
McGhee joined the Navy six years ago.
“I joined at a point in my life where I was looking for a change in direction,” McGhee said. “I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and see more than where I was from, and build a future with more opportunities. The Navy gave me that, where I was able to gain stability and skills, and a clearer sense of what I want to do with my life.”
Today, McGhee serves as a culinary specialist assigned to Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore.
NAS Lemoore is home to Commander Strike Fighter Wing Pacific and Commander Joint Strike Fighter Wing. More than half of the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft reside here, and it is the only Navy installation to house the F-35C Lightning II.
Carrier strike groups and the embarked aviation squadrons are the cornerstone of U.S. naval power projection and sea power. They can quickly maneuver thousands of miles with the world’s most capable warships and top-notch sailors, remaining on station in areas of interest without relying on land bases or overflight agreements. U.S. Navy aircraft carriers are the most adaptable, lethal and survivable airfields in the world and their presence serves as the most credible commitment to our allies and partners.
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.
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.
McGhee has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is competing in two culinary competitions,” McGhee said. “At Navy Region Southwest, I placed first, and at Recruit Training Command, I placed third. I came in with little to no cooking skills, and being able to grow so much in my craft has been rewarding. Knowing that people enjoy my food puts a smile on my face and makes me proud of how far I have come.”
McGhee serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
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. More information is available here: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/
“Serving in the Navy means having the opportunity to better myself and build a future,” McGhee said. “It has helped me grow into a more capable person and gain valuable skills.”
McGhee is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to say thank you to my two loving grandparents, Linsbert and Catherine Reynolds,” McGhee said. “Papa, even though you’re not here, you will always be a part of me wherever I go. Nana, thank you for supporting me and my journey and giving me guidance. Without the both of you, I don’t know where I would be today. I will always be thankful for everything you have done for me.”