• Branch of Service: Navy
  • Highest Rank: E-5, Operations Specialist Second Class
  • Locations(s) of Service: USS Detroit, ComLogRon 2, Tactical Training Group Atlantic, Commander Second Fleet (USS Mt. Whitney)
  • What is your job at Mountaire Farms? Communications Specialist
  • When were you hired at Mountaire?  March 2023
  • What motivated you to join the military? I joined the Navy knowing that I was not ready to focus on studies. I wanted to travel, gain real world experiences, and I knew that I could take classes online – from anywhere in the world.
  • Why did you choose the branch of service you joined? My uncle was a General in the Army and he suggested I go Navy. I do love being on the water and I’d be fibbing if I said it didn’t have anything to do with the bellbottom uniforms.
  • Did you earn any medals or honors during your service? I was awarded four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (NAMS), and named Junior Sailor of the Year, Damneck.
  • What was the most valuable lesson you learned? Don’t bring a problem to someone without also considering any possible solutions. The world is not short on problems.
  • What was the best and worst “military food” you were served? Navy breakfast was the best. Lobster was the worst meal, but not for the reason you might expect. It tasted fine, but was always followed with bad news. So when we had lobster at dinner it normally meant your deployment was being extended.
  • Tell us about a funny, poignant, or moving story you experienced during your service. Sunday night taps (lights out) at sea was led by the ships Chaplain. He shared a story about using the question, “How are you doing?” as a passing salutation and why we should always take the time to stop and listen when we ask that question. It changed all of us on that deployment and has stuck with me forever.
  • Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I have a coin for every command I served.