By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach

MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Blake Thompson, a native of Houston, Texas, is serving aboard USS Winston S. Churchill, a U.S. Navy warship, operating out of Mayport, Florida.

Thompson, a 2020 graduate of Atascocita High School, joined the Navy two years ago.

“I first enlisted to pursue opportunities of commissioning in the Navy to be a naval aviator, but quickly was introduced to all of the benefits of being an information systems technician,” said Thompson.

Today, Thompson relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Houston to succeed in the military.

“Growing up, I was raised in a condition where I had to start taking care of myself at an early age, which has given me the motivation and tenacity I still have to this day,” said Thompson.

These lessons have helped Thompson while serving in the Navy.

Winston S. Churchill is a guided-missile destroyer that provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities. The destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.

More than 300 sailors serve aboard Winston S. Churchill. Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.

With 90 percent 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.

"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy."

Serving in the Navy means Thompson is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy is instrumental in maintaining the security of our coasts and protecting the ideals of freedom and democracy,” said Thompson.

Thompson and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“Still only as a petty officer third class, I have been assigned a lot of responsibility for my ship and my department,” said Thompson. “I am soon to be the only cyber-security specific IT on board after the other Information Systems Technician 2nd Class leaves in a couple of months.”

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

“To me, serving in the Navy means that I can adapt and perform well under tense, high-stress situations,” said Thompson. “My goal is to be decorated with my Surface and Information Warfare Pins as a petty officer second class, with at least one deployment during my tour.”

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

“My uncle is a captain and a naval aviator serving in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii,” added Thompson. “He was my first inspiration to join the Navy. He introduced me to flying but I learned all the benefits of being an information systems technician. The Navy will pay for your certifications and college, and they also have the opportunity to network outside the Navy with a Top Secret Clearance.”

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