Photo By Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal | U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class John Singleton, Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii –Petty Officer 1st Class (SW/AW) John F. Singleton started exploring different career paths at Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific (ATGMIDPAC) to broaden his horizon long before the Navy implemented the enlisted modernization plan.
On a typical day he helps Sailors make important decisions about their careers. However, he quickly realized that in order to succeed at the command he must diversify his skill set.
“Once I was selected to come here to ATG and I found out I was coming here as a career counselor. I looked at more of the fact that all my fellow peers are assessors and to be competitive I felt like I needed to step out of being just that career counselor and get out there and try new things,” Singleton said. “I started this once I got onboard.”
Singleton performs a myriad of duties such as sponsor coordinator; indoctrination coordinator, and assistant personnel security manager. He also completed his qualifications to become a damage control assessor, and a maintenance and material management assessor to help ships maintain readiness in the fleet.
“When we are on that ship it’s to make sure they have the tools, the right instructions, the right information that they need to get certified, and to be safe out there, and be ready for deployment at any time,” said Singleton.
Master Chief Petty Officer Matthew Lashley, Senior Enlisted Leader of ATGMIDPAC, explained why it is important for sailors like Singleton to go outside their comfort zone and explore multiple jobs.
“I believe that it’s important for Sailors to find that person to emulate that shows that they’re not just stuck in one area. Sailors are diverse these days,” said Lashley. “Sailors want to do more and Petty Officer Singleton is that Sailor that’s showing you can do more. If you want to do your job and you want to go do another job. He’s that sailor that’s showing that it’s possible.”
The Navy modernized the enlisted rating system on Sep. 29 to increase job opportunities for Sailors throughout the service. Numerous Sailors throughout the fleet voiced their concerns with the elimination of the Navy’s ratings. Singleton was one of many Sailors surprised by the change, but now he sees it from a new perspective.
“I loved coming to work as a Yeoman, but I think after looking at it now it doesn’t define who we are. We are sailors no matter what...” Singleton said. “It’s something we have been doing for years, even before we changed the ratings to NOS. As a Sailor on a ship I was a ship secretary, I was a damage control team member…”
Singleton’s commitment to service doesn’t stop once he clocks out at ATGMIDPAC. He is also a member of the First Class Petty Officer Association and gives back to the community. All of these responsibilities may seem like a daunting task, but one thing keeps him motivated.
“My wife and my two boys is my driving force. Every day I know when I get up to go to work, I’m doing it for them as well as me. But they push me,” said Singleton. “They give me that strength and that support every day to keep doing what I do and knowing that I have them there I don’t feel like there is nothing I can’t do.”
Petty Officer Singleton’s personal goals are to help as many Sailors in the Navy achieve their goals and to keep making his family proud. He is currently working on becoming a Chief Petty Officer, so that he can lead Sailors.
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 11.17.2016 19:35 |
| Story ID: | 215052 |
| Location: | HI, US |
| Web Views: | 87 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Sailor Embraces NOS Change, Brings New Perspective, by PO1 Jerome Johnson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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