Military News
“My father served in the Navy for 20 years, and I always looked up to him and what he was able to accomplish,” Shlaffer said. “It was hard seeing him leave, and I definitely missed him while he was away, but I also knew he was out there protecting our country and keeping us safe. I take pride in knowing I’m continuing what he started, and I hope that when I have a family one day, I will be the kind of person they can be proud of, too.”
“Growing up, I was a young kid just trying to find a path,” Evans said. “I hooped, but didn’t love it. I didn’t like the college idea, so here I am.” Evans joined the Navy two years ago and today serves as an aviation ordnanceman. “I joined the Navy for different opportunities and to have somewhere new to welcome me,” Evans said.
“My grandfather was a senior chief petty officer in the Navy in Vietnam, and I wanted to be the first naval aviator and first naval officer in my family,” Austria said. “I want to develop leaders myself and help them achieve the goals they set in the military. There is a huge Navy influence living in and around the Virginia Beach area.”
“This award speaks volumes to the support that my leaders, peers and junior sailors have given to me, which made it possible for me to receive this award,” Pyle said. “The right and only thing to do now is pay it forward to my sailors.”
Swearingen joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Swearingen serves as a student rescue swimmer. “I wanted to be around people who have a similar work ethic,” Swearingen said. “I want to serve with those who don’t complain, but just do the job that’s required.”
“Being named Blue Jacket of the Quarter means that all the hard work I have been putting in is being recognized,” Coppock said. “As a junior sailor, it may feel like things you do aren’t worth the effort and that only senior enlisted will be recognized, but this simply isn’t the case. You should always strive for greatness, accept your wins with humility, and use your mistakes as motivation to be better and learn.”
“This promotion is largely due to my civilian education,” Harper said. “Being able to attend college while being stationed at NORA has been the biggest blessing. Our command is fortunate that our leadership grants us the work-life balance to achieve educational goals. Additionally, getting awards for going on support missions and being cadre at major Army competitions has also given me the points I’ve needed to promote.”
USS Michael Monsoor is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force
In celebration of the Navy’s 250th anniversary the United States Navy Band will perform a free concert April 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Sandler Center, 201 Market St. Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jaylen King, center, from Hampton, Virginia, assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) assists in treating a patient in the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America’s (LHA 6) medical bay.
