Fort Lauderdale native serves with U.S. Navy
Petty Officer 2nd Class Courtnay Outlaw (Photo By Mass Communication Outreach, Josiha Trombley
By Cmdr. Anthony Falvo, Navy Office of Community Outreach
KINGS BAY, Ga. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Courtnay Outlaw, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, serves the U.S. Navy at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.
Outlaw, a 2008 Plantation High School graduate, joined the Navy 15 years ago.
“My mom really wanted me to join the military,” said Outlaw. “She wanted to join the military as a younger woman but couldn’t since she wasn’t a citizen.”
Skills and values similar to those found in Fort Lauderdale are important to succeed in the military.
“I saw many of my friends and other people just doing the same thing day after day,” said Outlaw. “I wanted to get away, see the world and broaden my horizons.”
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.
“Our mission remains timeless – to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”
As Outlaw and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“I liken the Navy to seeing a cop on the side of the road,” said Outlaw. “You wouldn’t just speed past the cop. If you knew the U.S. had a Navy that could keep you in check, you’re less likely to do bad things. We’re really there to provide deterrence.”
As Outlaw and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“It’s a sense of pride to be able to serve,” said Outlaw. “It’s nice to go anywhere and be thanked for your service. Some days can be mundane but overall, it gives you a sense of pride.”
Outlaw is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I’m especially thankful for two of my Navy mentors, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael Sanders and Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Howard Dixon,” added Outlaw. “I can contact them at any time, and they’ll always be ready to go above and beyond for me. I wouldn’t have stayed in for this long without them.”
Miami Native Serves with U.S. Navy in Japan
(Photo by Lt. Cmdr. Jake Joy, Navy Office of Community Outreach)
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerry Jimenez, Navy Office of Community Outreach
SASEBO, JAPAN – Petty Officer 1st Class Cynthia Cavedagne, a native of Miami, Florida, serves the U.S. Navy in Japan.
Cavedagne attended Miami Killian Senior High School and graduated in 2005.
Cavedagne joined the Navy 17 years ago.
“I joined the Navy for travel opportunities and financial independence,” said Cavedagne.
Today, Cavedagne serves as a Navy career counselor with Naval Beach Unit (NBU) 7.
Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Miami.
“I learned adaptability,” said Cavedagne. “I grew up in a big city and that helps with the resiliency in the Navy.”
According to Navy officials, NBU 7 empowers forward-deployed U.S. and Allied Forces while providing superior support to military members and their families.
Cavedagne serves in Japan as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.
“As the largest force in our nation’s front line against revisionist actors, U.S. Pacific Fleet meets this great responsibility with strength, resolve and confidence,” said Adm. Samuel Paparo, U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander. “Together with our joint and combined partner operations, we are positioned to defend – across all domains – any attempts to threaten our nation, our allies and partner’s security, freedom and well-being.”
As a member of the Navy, Cavedagne 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 is important to national defense because we provide a presence,” said Cavedagne. “That’s the first level of defense.”
As Cavedagne and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means adventure, independence and stability,” said Cavedagne.
Cavedagne is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my recruiter,” added Cavedagne. “She was real, honest and a support system during my transition. We’re still friends. It’s been a long friendship.”
Royal Palm Beach Native Continues a 123-year Tradition of Service Under the Sea
Lt. j.g. Travis Jacklin.
Photo by Mass Com-munication Specialist 1st Class Josiah Trombley, Navy Office of Community Outreach
By Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach
KINGS BAY, GA. – Submariners make up only 10 percent of the U.S. Navy’s personnel, but they play a critical role in carrying out one of the Defense Department’s most important missions: strategic deterrence. Lt. j.g. Travis Jacklin, a native of Royal Palm Beach, Florida, is one of the sailors continuing a 123-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Jacklin joined the Navy four years ago and today serves aboard USS Alaska.
“I joined the Navy because it seemed like the hardest route,” said Jacklin. “It seemed like a challenge I wanted to take on and I got paid for it a little more than an entry-level engineering job.”
Growing up in Royal Palm Beach, Jacklin attended Royal Palm Beach High School and graduated in 2015.
Skills and values similar to those found in Royal Palm Beach are similar to those required to succeed in the military.
“There is a good mix of people from all walks of life and different backgrounds in Royal Palm Beach,” said Jacklin. “That upbringing allowed me to empathize with people in the Navy from different backgrounds, especially because the Navy is so diverse.”
These lessons have helped Jacklin while serving in the Navy.
Known as America’s “Apex Predators!,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and guided-missile submarines (SSGN).
Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. The Virginia-class SSN is the most advanced submarine in the world today. It combines stealth and payload capability to meet Combatant Commanders’ demands in this era of strategic competition.
The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. SSBNs are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles. The Columbia-class SSBN will be the largest, most capable, and most advanced submarine produced by the U.S. – replacing the current Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines to ensure continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.
Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each SSGN is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.
“Our mission remains timeless – to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”
Strategic deterrence is the Nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Jacklin is part of a rich history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in the defense of America and its allies.
Serving in the Navy means Jacklin is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities, and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“Our primary mission in the submarine community is strategic deterrence,” said Jacklin. “We keep adversaries from taking actions against our country because we have a forward presence and they know we are out there.”
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.
Jacklin and the sailors they serve have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest Navy accomplishments are servicing the boat for the first, manning the bridge and driving the sub,” said Jacklin.
As Jacklin and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means I am doing something bigger than myself,” said Jacklin.
Jacklin is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible. “I would like to thank my fiancé, Alex, because she has followed me around and kept the house together while I am gone,” added Jacklin. “She does everything and is a superhero.”
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