LEMOORE, Calif. - Every sailor’s story of naval service is unique. For Petty Officer 3rd Class Saviola Innocent, this story has ties to Goldsboro, North Carolina, 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 |
“Growing up, I learned some core values, things like being accountable and having respect and never losing myself,” Innocent said. “It helps me make the right choices at times and stay driven to succeed.”
Innocent graduated from Eastern Wayne High School in 2020.
Innocent joined the Navy six years ago.
“I knew I wasn’t going to college immediately, so I needed something to develop some skills, and I wanted the opportunity to go to college later,” Innocent said. “I wanted those skills and opportunities so I could get a good job once I left the Navy. The Navy travels more and we get to see a lot. It’s a pretty cool job, especially my job. We travel often and we’re everywhere.”
Today, Innocent serves as an aviation ordnanceman assigned to Navy Munitions Command Pacific CONUS West Division Detachment, Lemoore onboard 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.
Innocent has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of staying in the Navy,” Innocent said. “I feel like a lot of people have things go wrong in their first contract, and they don’t get to finish. I’m proud I didn’t have any of that happen and that I’ve stayed in.”
Innocent 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 looking out for others and doing things that most won’t,” Innocent said.
Innocent is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank God because through every single obstacle in my life, if there was one person I could count on, it was him,” Innocent said. “I also want to thank my parents, Sendy Innocent and Philippe Innocent, because in the end, I want to make them proud.”