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(Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Jerome Fjeld, Navy Office of Community Outreach)
Petty Officer First Class Jessyca Bellinger, a native of Miami is serving aboard a U.S. Navy warship operating out of Norfolk, VA.
Bellinger graduated in 2008 from Coral Reef Senior High School.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Miami.
“Being part of a large organization full of people with different cultures and backgrounds is like I’m back home,” Bellinger said. “I appreciate the Navy’s rich diversity and will continue to advocate for others by helping bridge the gap, facilitate conversations and encourage the gift of grace.”
Bellinger joined the Navy nine years ago. Today, Bellinger serves as an aviation support equipment technician aboard USS Kearsarge.
“My job in naval aviation has equipped me with a great deal of mechanical and technical knowledge to support aircraft directly contributing to the impact of a mission and maritime operations,” Bellinger said. “The continued training to remain well-versed in equipment and processes satisfies my professional development, but is also transferrable into civilian life.”
Kearsarge’s crew is made up of approximately 1,200 members and can accommodate up to 1,800 Marines. Amphibious assault ships transfer Marines, equipment and supplies, and can support helicopters or other aircraft. Kearsarge is the third ship in the Wasp class of multipurpose amphibious assault ships and is the fourth Navy vessel to bear the name of Mount Kearsarge in New Hampshire.
Serving in the Navy means Bellinger 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.
“The Navy is intentional in their efforts to build a strong maritime presence while enhancing relations with allies around the globe,” Bellinger said. “Our last deployment was a demonstration of that strength in and around the Baltic Sea by projecting power and cultivating NATO connections.”
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.
Bellinger has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“In 2021, I earned my master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas, which was made available to me through a resource called the Career Intermission Program, allowing me to take a break in service and attend a full-time graduate-level education program,” Bellinger said. “The Navy has so many resources for Sailors and I have so many more goals. I’m looking forward to attaining so much more and pursuing all the opportunities afforded to me because of my service.”
As Bellinger and other Sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“It’s about having a purpose larger than myself, and I’m a testament to that fact that the Navy provides and dreams can be accomplished,” Bellinger said. “It just takes a bit of dedication, hard-work and initiative.”
Bellinger is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I come from a long line of hardworking, empowered Caribbean women, all who exude relentless ambition and determination, guiding me along the way,” z Bellinger. “My mom is a voice of reason, offering a balanced perspective. My sister is my sounding board and we’re each other’s person. And of course, I’ve had some amazing Navy mentors who have really supported me throughout professional growth.”
Bellinger learned a lot about herself through her service in the Navy.
“The Navy has truly shaped me as a person, with most of my adult life serving I’ve had some of the most challenging moments, exposing my vulnerabilities, healing me in ways I didn’t know I needed and stretching me beyond what I thought capable,” Bellinger said.
“The Navy has a way of showing you who you really are, who you were, and who you are meant to be.”
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