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McDavid Native Trains U.S. Navy Future Warfighters

Sailors are some of the most highly-trained people on the planet, according to U.S. Navy officials, and this training requires highly-dedicated instructors.

At Naval Education and Training Command, this obligation falls upon hard-charging, professionals who train and mentor the Navy’s future warfighters.

Petty Officer 1st Class Jonathan Moretz, a native of McDavid, Florida, is an instructor at NETC, providing the fleet with sailors who possess the basic technical knowledge and skills necessary for naval service.

“The sense of pride training furture engineers for the fleet is what I enjoy most about teaching,” Moretz said.

Instructors are experts in the subject matter they teach, and they provide cutting-edge technical training transforming new recruits into mission-ready sailors.

Moretz, a 2013 graduate of Northview High School, credits success as an instructor to many of the lessons learned growing up in McDavid.

“I learned a great work ethic by working long hours and this really prepared me for my job as an engineer and helped me to adapt well to the Navy culture,” Moretz said.

NETC educates and trains those who serve our nation, taking them from street-to-fleet by transforming civilians into highly skilled, operational, and combat ready warfighters, while providing the tools and opportunities for continuous learning and development.

Six commands provide a continuum of professional education and training at NETC in support of Surface Navy requirements preparing enlisted sailors and officers to serve at sea, providing apprentice and specialized skills training to 7,500 sailors a year.

A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.

Moretz plays an important role in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances, and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results, and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”

Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Moretz is most proud being appointed as the engineering duty officer while serving on a ship.

“The engineering officer entrusted me with the department in port,” Moretz said. “This gave me a great sense of pride knowing I was being entrusted with the responsibility based on my knowledge and integrity.”

Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Moretz, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Moretz is honored to carry on the family tradition.

“Several of my family members served in the military but most importantly, my dad did,” Moretz said. “I’m working hard to beat him out of his pay grade.”

As a member of one of the Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Moretz and other instructors, know they are part of a legacy lasting beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.

“There’s a sense of honor serving my country while seeing the world and training junior sailors,” Moretz said. “I continue to learn every day.”

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.