PETTY Officer 3rd Class Shantea Ferill from St Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, serves the US Navy assigned to Naval Air Station Oceana Air Operations operating from Naval Air Station Oceana.

Ferill graduated from North Farmington High School in Farmington Hills, Michigan, in 2014.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those she grew up learning in St Ann’s Bay, Ferrill said.

“The biggest lesson I learned growing up in Jamaica and then in Michigan is to continue to persevere,” she said. “We are our biggest critics and the number one thing you can’t tell yourself is I can’t do this. You have to prove yourself wrong.”

Ferill joined the Navy 10 years ago. Today, she serves as an aviation boatswain’s mate (handling).

“It was just something I always wanted to do,” said Ferill. “I was in high school and a Navy flyer was in the counsellor’s office and it drew me in. The idea of seeing the world and doing something different than the ordinary appealed to me.”

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.

With 90 per cent of global commerce travelling by sea and access to the Internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasise that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Ferill has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“One of my proudest accomplishments is being selected for Junior Sailor of the Quarter twice and working as the divisional career counsellor,” said Ferill. “I also joined the resiliency team to help sailors with their problems and assure them they are not alone.”

“Serving in the Navy means showing up for yourself and showing up for others,” she added. “Being a teacher, a parent and a friend is so important. I never realised I would take on all of those roles and it has been the greatest lesson and experience I’ve had. You will not get this kind of opportunity anywhere else.”

Ferill is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my mom, who initially didn’t want me to join, but since I joined she has been the push when times got tough and I wanted to quit. She’s had the words of wisdom that bring me back to who I am.”

She added: “I’m attending Purdue Global for a health-care administration bachelor’s. I will earn that degree by the end of 2025 and then I want to apply for a commission through the health-care officer-administration programme.”