PETTY Officer 3rd Class Shamire Boyd from Kingston serves the United States (US) Navy assigned to USS Harry S Truman, a US Navy aircraft carrier operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.

Boyd graduated from Excelsior High School in 2010.

“Growing up, I worked a lot of jobs,” he said. “Life was rough, which taught me that you’ve got to reach for your goals. I got my first job when I was 17. I came to the US when I was 20 and worked in New York, then I joined the Navy when I was 30. That taught me to work hard to achieve my goals.”

Boyd joined the Navy three years ago. Today, he serves as a logistics specialist.

“I joined the Navy to better my life and make a future for my family,” he said. “When I was young, I was the type of guy who liked to be out on planes. I wasn’t going to get to do what I wanted to do in the Air Force, so I looked into the Navy because the Navy also has aircraft. And I always wanted to see what it’s like being out in the water.”

Aircraft carriers are the centrepiece of America’s naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.

Among the largest warships in the world, Harry S Truman is longer than three football fields at 1,092 feet. The ship is 252 feet wide and weighs more than 100,000 tonnes. More than 5,000 sailors serve aboard these self-contained mobile airports.

According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and combat capability of its air wing.

Boyd has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I’m most proud of being recognised for my hard work and determination,” he said. “I’m also proud of being a supervisor of my division and helping other sailors improve on their jobs. I’m in charge of four sailors. Being a leader is something I have always wanted to be.”

This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the US’s defence 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.

“Serving in the Navy means everything to me,” Boyd said. “It gives me a chance to better myself. It means that my family can have a better life and a better future for my kids.”

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

“I want to thank my mom and my relatives for pushing me to become the man I am today,” he said.

“I want to thank my family also for supporting me through my deployment and being overseas in Spain. I also want to thank my best friend, Wayne. He was an older guy who took me under his wing when I was 15. He mentored me and pushed me to become the man I am today. He tells me every day how proud he is that I joined the military and of who I’ve become.”