MAYPORT, Fla. – A Norfolk, Virginia, native is serving aboard USS Philippine Sea, a U.S. Navy a Flight II Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Indra Beaufort is a Weston High School graduate, a Florida International University graduate, and a Liberty University graduate. Today, Beaufort serves as a mass communication specialist.
“My job would be equivalent to a journalist, graphic artist, videographer, photographer, public affairs specialist and historian,” said Beaufort.
Beaufort joined the Navy four years ago for the opportunities the military offers.
“I came from a military background, and I wanted to continue the tradition of serving my country,” said Beaufort. “I also wanted to be a military journalist because it is one of the coolest jobs in the world. In addition, I wanted to be the first female in my family to serve in the Navy, to set an example for my children.”
According to Beaufort, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Hollywood.
“Growing up with my parents in Hollywood has taught me resilience, perseverance, dedication, the importance of spirituality, and devotion to duty,” said Beaufort. “The Navy has a motto, ‘honor, courage, commitment’; Growing up, these same words had a spiritual resonance to me and the meaning behind these words have helped me succeed in the Navy. Family continues to be an important part of my life and I attribute my success to them. I hope that I continue to make my family, my shipmates, my community, and my country proud.”
The USS Philippine Sea’s keel was laid in April 1986 in Bath, Maine, and she was commissioned in March 1989. She is the second ship to bear the name, after an aircraft carrier. Philippine Sea has participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Ocean Shield to name a few. The USS Philippine Sea conducted initial Tomahawk strikes in Afghanistan in 2001 at al-Qaeda terrorist training camps and Taliban installations for Operation Enduring Freedom, and in 2014, she fired Tomahawks in the Persian Gulf at sites in Syria, targeting training camps and weapons depots.
According to Navy officials, Flight II Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers are multi-mission surface combatants capable of supporting carrier battle groups, amphibious forces, or of operating independently and as flagships of surface action groups. Cruisers are equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles giving them additional long range Strike Warfare capability. Some have been outfitted with Ballistic Missile Defense capability.
Though there are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community and careers, Beaufort is most proud to serving while gaining an education.
“My proudest accomplishment would be attaining a college degree while serving in the Navy,” said Beaufort. “I have to thank the Navy for the opportunity to use military tuition assistance to complete my master’s degree in leadership. I had to devote a lot of off-duty hours to completing my degree. Education will follow me long after I take off this uniform and I completed my degree all while wearing it. Another accomplishment is that all the photographs and products that I have created for the U.S. Navy will forever be in Navy history.”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Beaufort, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a tradition providing the Navy the nation needs. “Not everyone has the opportunity to serve in the United States Navy, so serving my country is an honor,” added Beaufort. “I love my country and being patriotic is very important to me. Since I have joined the Navy, the Navy has given me so many opportunities such as attaining a higher education, traveling and meeting people from around the world, being a positive contributing factor to the Navy’s mission, and being in environments where I am continually learning to grow as a person. Serving the Navy has made me a better human being and the experiences alone are priceless.”