Seaman Apprentice Jeffery Mooney, III, a native of Alexis, Illinois, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Naval Air Station Oceana.
Mooney joined the Navy eight months ago. Today, Mooney serves as a culinary specialist.
“I joined the Navy to serve my country and to give my future children the life I never had,” said Mooney. “I also joined because I wanted to become the best version of myself, and I knew the Navy could help me do that.”
Today, Mooney relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Alexis to succeed in the military.
“Alexis taught me to work hard,” said Mooney. “Whenever I’m given a task, I do it to the best of my ability. My Grandpa Rick always taught me to work hard to succeed in life. I have to thank my Grandpa Rick and Grandma Julie for giving me the life lessons that prepared me for my service. Thank you for motivating me to be the best I could be.”
Naval Air Station Oceana serves as the Navy’s East Coast Master Jet Base. The flight line, Apollo Soucek Field, is home to 17 aviation squadrons, and hosts the F/A-18 Super Hornet.
The Super Hornet is one of the most advanced aircraft in the world, according to Navy officials. The aircraft takes off from and lands on Navy aircraft carriers at sea and is capable of conducting air-to-air combat as well as striking targets on land.
Navy aircraft carriers are designed for a 50-year service life. When the air wing is embarked, the ship carries more than 70 attack fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft, all of which take off from and land aboard the carrier at sea. With more than 5,000 sailors serving aboard, the aircraft carrier is a self-contained mobile airport.
Aircraft carriers are often the first response to a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans.
Since USS Langley’s commissioning 100 years ago, the nation’s aircraft carriers and embarked carrier air wings have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.
“The aircraft carrier is our U.S. Navy’s centerpiece, our flagship, and a constant reminder to the rest of the world of our enduring maritime presence and influence,” said Rear Adm. James P. Downey, USN, Program Executive Officer (PEO) Aircraft Carriers. “These ships touch every part of our Navy’s mission to project power, ensure sea control, and deter our adversaries.”
Serving in the Navy means Mooney is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy contributes to the National Defense Strategy by providing home defense for the United States,” said Mooney. “We’re also deployed around the world. We defend through air, land and sea. We project power and let our adversaries know we are prepared to stand up for our freedoms.”
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize the importance of accelerating America’s advantage at sea.
“Maintaining the world’s best Navy is an investment in the security and prosperity of the United States, as well as the stability of our world,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “The U.S. Navy—forward deployed and integrated with all elements of national power—deters conflict, strengthens our alliances and partnerships, and guarantees free and open access to the world’s oceans. As the United States responds to the security environment through integrated deterrence, our Navy must continue to deploy forward and campaign with a ready, capable, combat-credible fleet.”
Mooney and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest Navy accomplishment is being able to prove that anybody can do anything if they put their mind to it,” said Mooney. “For example, I got through boot camp. I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it, but I did. I put my mind toward succeeding, I put in the hard work and I made it through.”
As Mooney and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“To me, serving in the Navy means being proud of who I am and what I’m serving for: the greater good,” added Mooney. “It means serving my country.”
***Courtesy of the Navy Office of Community Outreach***
