Petty Officer 1st Class Ja’naad Byrd, a native of Mays Landing, New Jersey, serves aboard USS Billings, a U.S. Navy warship operating out of Mayport, Florida.
Byrd graduated from Oakcrest High School in 2016.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Mays Landing.
“I learned from my hometown that working hard is the bare minimum,” Byrd said. “You have to actually care about your job when it comes to being a professional.”
Byrd joined the Navy seven years ago. Today, Byrd serves as a damage controlman.
“I wanted to join the best fighting force on water,” Byrd said.
A Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), USS Billings is a fast and agile warship designed to operate in near-shore environments to counter 21st-century threats. Crews aboard the ship can operate unmanned aerial systems and unmanned underwater vehicles. These ships can operate independently or in high-threat scenarios as part of a networked battle force that includes larger, multi-mission surface combatants such as cruisers and destroyers.
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.
Byrd has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I won the Sailor of the Year award twice on my last ship,” Byrd said. “It helped set the standard for how I carry myself now.”Byrd 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 gives me a sense of pride and honor,” Byrd said. “No matter how big or small of an impact that you have, every bit counts.”
Byrd is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I’d like to thank my parents for their impact on my journey in the Navy,” Byrd said. “They raised me well and that has helped me to excel both in the Navy and in my personal life.”
