Bowman, a 2017 graduate of Duluth High School, joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Bowman serves as an electronics technician.

“One of the primary reasons I joined was to help support my family,” said Bowman.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Duluth.

“Coming from a diverse background, I had a relatively easier time adjusting and relating to people from many walks of life once I joined,” said Bowman.

Located in East Central Mississippi, NAS Meridian trains sailors and Marines in aviation and technical-related fields. It is home to Training Air Wing ONE, Training Squadron NINE, Training Squadron SEVEN, Naval Technical Training Center, Marine Aviation Training Support Squadron One and the Regional Counterdrug Training Academy.

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.

Serving in the Navy means Bowman is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“In addition to a strong military presence, the Navy provides a big operational standard by leading by example as a global superpower,” said Bowman.

Bowman has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I’m most proud to have been a primary technician for communications systems when I served aboard USS Bainbridge,” said Bowman. “The many hours of troubleshooting led to the correction of several major faults, which contributed greatly to passing the assessment phase and the ship’s overall battle readiness.”

As Bowman and other sailors continue to perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving is an opportunity to not only give back to your country but to also improve yourself by gaining knowledge and resources,” said Bowman.

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

“I would like to thank my family because they are the primary reason why I am serving in the Navy,” added Bowman. “I would like to thank my father’s best friend, Anthony Simpson, who was prior enlisted in the Navy, my mother, Celesta Bowman, and her best friend, Edward McQueen, who helped mentor me. I also would like to give a shoutout to my valued friends from my high school class of 2017, and to the CE Division and the great sailors I served with on board USS Bainbridge.”

For Full Story: https://navyoutreach.blogspot.com/2023/11/duluth-native-serves-aboard-naval-air.html

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