MISSISSIPPI— Airman Recruit Tiffany Stanley, a 2009 graduate of Clay High, serves in the U.S. Navy assigned to the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU), located at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Middleburg.

“In order to grow as a person, you have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable because that's where the growth happens,” Stanley said. “Always do your best to be a good person and strive to be the best version of yourself. Never stop learning; never stop growing.”

Stanley joined the Navy seven months ago.

“I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself and to learn what my full potential could be,” Stanley said. “I want to become someone my son can look up to and be proud of.”

Stanley is currently stationed at CNATTU Keesler serving as a student learning the skills needed to become an aerographer’s mate. Navy aerographer’s mates are experts in meteorology and oceanography and provide environmental information to support Navy missions. They collect, record and analyze weather and oceanographic information.

CNATTU Keesler is a training command that falls under Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), the largest shore command in the Navy with more than 24,000 military and staff personnel at more than 624 subordinate activities, sites, talent acquisition groups, stations and detachments throughout the world. NETC recruits, trains and delivers those who serve our nation, taking them from "street to fleet" by transforming civilians into highly skilled, operational and combat-ready warfighters.

Stanley has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I'm proud to be the person people feel comfortable coming to for help, advice, support and encouragement,” Stanley said. “I'm also proud to see my peers accomplish things they thought they couldn't do.”

Stanley 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 is an opportunity to challenge myself every day to be one percent better than the person I was yesterday,” Stanley said. “It means I have an opportunity to grow into my full potential with the help and guidance from my leadership and learn to be the best sailor, leader and role model I can be.”

This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.

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.
Stanley is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my husband, Tyler, for his unwavering support and being my lighthouse when the seas get rough,” Stanley said. “He always reminds me that I am capable of anything I put my mind to. I also want to thank our son, Kyler, for always believing in me and never letting me forget how proud he is of me.”