A Norfolk, Virginia native, Petty Officer 3rd Class Jajuan White, serves at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville located in Jacksonville, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Patricia Rodriguez |
Petty Officer 3rd Class Jajuan White joined the Navy five years ago. Today, White serves as a retail specialist.
“I wanted a better opportunity,” said White. “My mother pushed me to join the Navy. When bad things happened around me, she pushed me to become a better person.”
Growing up in Norfolk, White attended Oscar Smith High School and graduated in 2014. Today, White finds the values in Norfolk similar to those needed to succeed in the military.
“Growing up in Norfolk, I had to be aware of my surroundings,” said White. “I’m really cautious about everything I do in the Navy. I’m cautious about waking up on time so that I’m not late for work. I was always cautious about the bad stuff, and now it’s for the good stuff.”
These lessons have helped White while serving at NAS Jacksonville.
On Oct. 15, 1940, NAS Jacksonville was officially commissioned, and became the first part of the Jacksonville Navy complex that would also include NAS Cecil Field and Naval Station Mayport.
White is most proud of earning the Enlisted Surface Warfare Pin.
“I had to study extra hard,” said White. “I saw other people fail, and that made me study even harder. When I passed, it was a stepping stone in my career, and I felt accomplished. My promotion to petty officer third class was another big accomplishment in my career.”
As White and other sailors continue to train, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“I wanted a bigger purpose in life,” added White. “I never thought I would be in an organization that meant so much. Once I understood what the Navy meant, I was proud to call myself a sailor.”
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