MAYPORT, Fla. - Lt. JonLuke Thomasson, who has family ties to Missoula, Montana, serves in the U.S. Navy and is assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, U.S. 4th Fleet at Naval Station Mayport in Florida.
Thomasson received a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2014 and attended graduate school for international relations at the University of Montana in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Montana.
“I learned dedication and being able to adapt,” Thomasson said. “In Montana, the weather changes a lot, and that applies to the Navy as well.”
Thomasson was previously enlisted in the Army as an intelligence analyst and joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Thomasson serves as an intelligence analyst.
“I joined the Navy because it was always a dream of mine,” Thomasson said. “My great-grandpa was in the Navy in World War II.”
Naval Station Mayport is one of the largest naval ports on the East Coast. It has a harbor capable of accommodating 34 ships and an 8,000-foot runway able to support any type of aircraft in the Department of War inventory. The base also serves as the headquarters for the 4th Fleet, which oversees U.S. Naval operations in the Caribbean, Central, and South America.
The mission of Naval Station Mayport is to “Sustain and Enhance Warfighter Readiness,” providing the “Finest service to the Finest fleet.”
“Our sailors are the backbone of everything we do,” said Capt. Mike Trumbull, commanding officer of Naval Station Mayport. “Their dedication, resilience, and readiness ensure our Fleet remains continuously mission-capable. At Naval Station Mayport, mission readiness starts with taking care of our people. Every service we provide, from housing to quality-of-life programs, supports that critical effort.”
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.
Thomasson has had many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of being able to have my daughters see me in the uniform,” Thomasson said. “I have three little girls.”
Thomasson serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving to me means protecting the next generation of Americans,” Thomasson said. “I loved the intelligence world, so when I left the Army I knew I wanted to join the best branch in the military, the Navy.”
Thomasson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife, Alex,” Thomasson said. “She has been through thick and thin and has taken care of our children every time I have been on deployment.”
Thomasson has plans outside of the Navy as well.
“I plan on publishing my first children’s illustration book this October,” Thomasson said. “It is called ‘And Then There is the Bard.’”
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. For more information, visit: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rion Codrington |
Thomasson received a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2014 and attended graduate school for international relations at the University of Montana in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Montana.
“I learned dedication and being able to adapt,” Thomasson said. “In Montana, the weather changes a lot, and that applies to the Navy as well.”
Thomasson was previously enlisted in the Army as an intelligence analyst and joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Thomasson serves as an intelligence analyst.
“I joined the Navy because it was always a dream of mine,” Thomasson said. “My great-grandpa was in the Navy in World War II.”
Naval Station Mayport is one of the largest naval ports on the East Coast. It has a harbor capable of accommodating 34 ships and an 8,000-foot runway able to support any type of aircraft in the Department of War inventory. The base also serves as the headquarters for the 4th Fleet, which oversees U.S. Naval operations in the Caribbean, Central, and South America.
The mission of Naval Station Mayport is to “Sustain and Enhance Warfighter Readiness,” providing the “Finest service to the Finest fleet.”
“Our sailors are the backbone of everything we do,” said Capt. Mike Trumbull, commanding officer of Naval Station Mayport. “Their dedication, resilience, and readiness ensure our Fleet remains continuously mission-capable. At Naval Station Mayport, mission readiness starts with taking care of our people. Every service we provide, from housing to quality-of-life programs, supports that critical effort.”
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.
Thomasson has had many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of being able to have my daughters see me in the uniform,” Thomasson said. “I have three little girls.”
Thomasson serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving to me means protecting the next generation of Americans,” Thomasson said. “I loved the intelligence world, so when I left the Army I knew I wanted to join the best branch in the military, the Navy.”
Thomasson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife, Alex,” Thomasson said. “She has been through thick and thin and has taken care of our children every time I have been on deployment.”
Thomasson has plans outside of the Navy as well.
“I plan on publishing my first children’s illustration book this October,” Thomasson said. “It is called ‘And Then There is the Bard.’”
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. For more information, visit: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/