By Ashley Craig, Navy Office of Community Outreach
MAYPORT, Fla. – Petty Officer 1st Class Nia Henderson, a native of Missouri City, Texas, serves aboard USS John Basilone, a U.S. Navy warship operating out of Mayport, Florida.
Henderson graduated from Thurgood Marshall High School in 2017 and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in business administration at American Military University.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Missouri City.
“Growing up, I learned that if you work hard, you play harder,” Henderson said. “That mindset has led me to many achievements in the Navy, things like picking up rank pretty fast.”
Henderson joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Henderson serves as a personnel specialist.
“I wasn’t exactly sure of my career path and felt the Navy would be a great foundation or stepping stone,” Henderson said. “My dad served in the Navy. It was the first recruiter I went to.”
A Navy 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 John Basilone. 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.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Henderson has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is something I do every day in my rate, which is assisting sailors with their records and pay,” Henderson said. “I’m taking care of that for them and making sure they get paid the right amount and on time.”
Henderson serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means sacrificing for something larger than myself,” Henderson said. “In the Navy, you build skills that are applicable to both military and civilian life, things like professionalism, flexibility and discipline.”
Henderson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I’d like to thank my family for their continued support,” Henderson said.