By Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach GULFPORT, Miss. – Ensign Austin Abbott, a 2021 Old Dominion University graduate is part of Naval Oceanography ensuring the U.S. Navy maintains freedom from the ocean floor to the stars at Fleet Survey Team. Sailors and civilians working throughout Naval Oceanography collect, measure, and analyze the elements…
Service Member Spotlight: Derrick Valentine
We Are MSC: Hard Work, Mentorship Drives USNS Newport JSO Success Derrick Valentine advanced from entry-level Steward Utility (SU) to Junior Supply Officer (JSO) aboard the Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel USNS Newport (T-EPF 12). “I was starting a tour USNS Wally Schirra and the Supply Officer, Rosalyn Pridgeon, came to me my second day onboard…
Old Dominion University Alum Assumes Role as Commodore of Submarine Squadron Twenty
Submarine Squadron Twenty held a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, Sep. 16. Capt. Eric Cole relieved Capt. John Cage as the squadron’s commodore, in a ceremony held at the base chapel. Cole, the incoming commodore, is a native of Carrollton, Georgia. He received his commissioning from the U.S. Naval…
“Heroes Sail Free:” New Program Offers FREE Cruises From Florida to the Bahamas to Military, First Responders, and Educators
Margaritaville at Sea has launched its “Heroes Sail Free” program offering FREE cruises from Florida to the Bahamas for current and former U.S. military members, fire, police, and EMS personnel, and educators. Eligible travelers can book a cruise through the “Heroes Sail Free” program, coordinated in partnership with e-commerce site GovX, on sailings from Sept. 9…
Service Member Spotlight: Destiny Torres
Seaman Destiny Torres, a native of Chesapeake, Virginia, serves aboard the Navy’s newest warship operating out of Norfolk, Virginia. USS Fort Lauderdale, an amphibious transport dock ship, was commissioned July 30 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “If there is one thing that history has shown us from the days of antiquity it is that the stakes…
Service Member Spotlight: Norfolk Native Serves Aboard Navy Warship in San Diego
Service Member Spotlight: A native of Norfolk, Virginia, serves the U.S. Navy aboard USS Boxer, which is homeported in San Diego. Petty Officer 3rd Class Jahkaya Bazemore, a 2016 Maury High School graduate, joined the Navy two years ago. “I joined because I wanted to travel the world,” said Bazemore. “I also needed the benefits…
Service Member Spotlight: Virginia Beach Resident Serves with Navy Expeditionary Combat Command
Dale Shiflett, a resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Patricia Rodriguez, Navy Office of Community Outreach Shiflett’s Navy journey began in 1975 working at the shipyard in Newport News. “After high school graduation, I started as an apprentice…
Service Member Spotlight: Chesapeake Resident Serves with Navy Expeditionary Combat Command
Chief Petty Officer (select) Sara Baumlein, a native of Chesapeake, Virginia, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command in support of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. Baumlein joined the Navy 19 years ago. “My sister had joined the Navy and my family saw that it was good for her, so I was encouraged to…
Service Member Spotlight: Old Dominion University Graduate Serves with Navy Expeditionary Combat Command
Lt. j.g. Alfred Brown, a 2018 graduate of Old Dominion University, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command in support of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. Brown joined the Navy eight years ago. “I joined the Navy to support our nation’s efforts of defending freedoms,” said Brown. “I also joined to support my…
Virginia Beach native supports U.S. Navy’s “Take Charge and Move Out” mission
A Virginia Beach, Virginia, native is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission at Strategic Communications Wing One (STRATCOMMWING ONE). Its TACAMO (“Take Charge and Move Out”) mission provides airborne communication links to nuclear missile units of U.S. Strategic Command. Airman Robert Scheberger, a 2015 Salem High School graduate,…