Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Moreno, Navy Office of Community Outreach
A 1997 Atlanta High School graduate and St. Maurice native is serving at the Navy’s premier and largest aviation training center. Lt. Anthony Jenkins works as an administrative officer and operates out of Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. A Navy administrative officer is responsible for controlling anything that involves the administration including pay, personnel and correspondence, while making sure all paperwork is timely and accurate. Jenkins said that his father set a good example for him while growing up in St. Maurice and that has helped him succeed in his naval career.
“My dad is a guy who will work from sun up to sun down and well past,” said Jenkins. “His work ethic really has influenced everything that I do.” NAS Pensacola, “The Cradle of Naval Aviation” is best known as the initial primary training base for all U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard officers pursuing designations as Naval Aviators and Naval Flight Officers. It takes a lot of manpower to support and train pilots, but there is much more to this base that employs 16,000 military and 7,400 civilians.
This includes major tenant commands: Naval Aviation Schools Command, Naval Air Technical Training Center, Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 and 23, the Blue Angels, and the headquarters for Naval Education Training Command (NETC), a command which combines direction and control of all Navy education and training. As the premier naval installation in the Department of the Navy (DoN) NAS Pensacola provides base and operational support functions such as quality of life, administration, logistics, facilities, comptroller, management administration and operations (airfield, port, security, fire and search and rescue).
“I’m so proud of the entire team throughout our aviation enterprise,” said Capt. Christopher T. Martin, Commander Naval Air Station Pensacola. “The future of NAS Pensacola is bright, and we’re only going to continue to adapt and evolve as we prepare to efficiently deliver the very best readiness from the shore.”
“As sailors forged by the sea, we will continue to be the Navy the Nation Needs. One of the Chief of Naval Operation’s Lines of Effort is what we do best, strengthening our Navy team for the future,” said Martin.
“I am a first generation servicemember,” said Jenkins, proud to represent his family in the Navy. Jenkins is also proud of his first Navy Achievement Medal. “It means the most to me. Coming from a small town in Louisiana and being a third class yeoman, the fact that they thought my work deserved that award was pretty overwhelming at the time,” said Jenkins. “Even beyond the rank or other successes I’ve achieved. It let me know early in my career that I can do whatever I put my mind to.” Pensacola stands up to the expectations and provides a perfect environment for the workers and their families. The citizens benefit from all the modern world advantages, from schools and hospitals to recreational areas, theaters, cinemas and multiple services.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Jenkins and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means that I am contributing to the betterment of the world,” Jenkins added. “I am in a position to protect those around me whether it’s through my own service or by leading those who serve with me.”
