By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel, Navy Office of Community Outreach
SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeremy Bledsoe, a native of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, supports versatile missions while serving at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3.
Bledsoe joined the Navy 15 years ago. Today, Bledsoe serves as an aviation structural mechanic.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to serve my country while learning something new and different,” said Bledsoe. "The Navy has also allowed me to see the world simultaneously."
Bledsoe attended Mt. Carmel High School and graduated in 1995.
Skills and values similar to those found in Mt. Carmel are similar to those required to succeed in the military.
“I come from a small town where everybody knows everyone,” said Bledsoe. "That helped me to know what it means to understand people on a personal level. A sense of family is important in the Navy when yours is always so far away."
These lessons have helped Bledsoe while serving with the Navy.
Members of HSC 3 fly and maintain helicopters for the U.S. Navy. Navy helicopters are able to perform many different missions. In general, some of the most common operations include search and rescue, air assaults, medical evacuations, supply transport and hunting submarines.
This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as "The First Six," earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.
As a member of the Navy, Bledsoe is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy supports national defense by patrolling the waters around our country and the world,” said Bledsoe. “We do this to ensure those that would do harm to others and their way of life, never get that chance.”
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.
Bledsoe and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest achievement in the Navy is not so much of a personal accomplishment, but the accomplishments of my junior sailors,” said Bledsoe. "When I am asked to pin a sailor to the next rank, to me, it is the highest form of recognition I can receive. To me, that sailor is saying, “Thank you for your guidance, leadership and mentoring that helped me get here.” I have pinned seven sailors to their next rank, and every time is rewarding for me."
As Bledsoe and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“My service gives me a sense of pride and patriotism,” said Bledsoe. "Serving has given me the opportunity to learn things I would never have known about without the Navy. It also means that I have an extended family that grows all the time and friends from all different walks of life that I would have never made had I not chosen to join the Navy."
Bledsoe is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to my mother, Melba Allen, for all her guidance and support,” said Bledsoe. "When I'm not sure what I want to do, she is always there to give me guidance and encouragement to keep me going."
“My grandfather, Bledsoe, was an officer in the Air Force and my grandfather, Ivy, enlisted in the Army,” added Bledsoe. "He was a two-time Purple Heart recipient and received a Bronze Star for valor. He landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day. I know he was proud of my service and he gave me his Bronze Star before he passed away. I also have two cousins who served and still serve, and my oldest niece is a petty officer second class in the Navy as well.”
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class
Jordan Jennings, Navy Office of Community Outreach