Petty Officer Second Class Compton
By Mass Communication Specialist First Class Electa Berassa, Navy Office of Community Outreach
PATUXENT RIVER, MD – A 1997 Castries Comprehensive Secondary School graduate and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native is serving “Where the future of naval aviation begins” at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, located in Patuxent River, Md.
Petty Officer Second Class Jermain Compton is an aviation boatswain’s mate (handling) NAS Patuxent River, responsible for maintaining the air field and arresting gear for naval aircraft.
Located at the mouth of the Patuxent River, the 14,500-acre complex is host to Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) headquarters and Headquarters, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). These two entities provide the full spectrum of acquisition management, research and development capabilities, air and ground test and evaluation, aircraft logistics and maintenance management.
“I like the flexibility of my job,” said Compton. “I like being able to work with other commands and seeing how the civilian and naval side works together.”
NAS Patuxent River is home to the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and the Atlantic Test Range and 50 other tenant commands. The facilities at Patuxent River are utilized by foreign governments, academic institutions and private industry for similar projects and deliver effective and efficient installation management enabling tenants to achieve integrated warfare systems and life cycle sustainment.
Compton said he and other sailors are proud to be serving at a command that readily defends America at all times.
“The best part of my job is the people I work with,” said Compton. “They are willing to work with you and help boost your career.”
With more than 800 employees assigned to the host naval air station staff, the civilian and military “Pax Pros” work hard to ensure the continued security, safety and first-class services are provided to all 20,000+ employees working aboard the installation, according to Navy officials.
“The work our sailors and civilians do every day is extremely important to both the current health and future of Naval Aviation, and it directly impacts the Fleet,” said Capt. Scott Starkey, Naval Air Station Patuxent River commanding officer. “From our Naval Security Force that keep us secure, to our Fire and Emergency Services, child care professionals and morale welfare and recreation personnel, and our Air and Port Operations Team, and everything in between, our PAX TEAM enables our tenants’ missions and positively impacts research, development, testing and evaluation. We are extremely proud of our personnel and the important work they do every day.”
Serving in the Navy, Compton is learning about being more of a leader through handling numerous responsibilities.
“I have learned to appreciate the diversity of people from all different cultures and the different leadership approaches since joining the Navy,” said Compton. “It gives me a great idea of the type of leader that I want to be.”