Philadelphia Native Promotes on Nimitz

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

09.04.2017

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Elesia Patten 

Carrier Strike Group 11

ARABIAN GULF (NNS) -- Philadelphia's own Nicole Washington celebrated her promotion to the rank of Navy lieutenant aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Sept. 4, while deployed in the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Rear Adm. William D. Byrne Jr, Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, conducted the ceremony surrounded by Washington's shipmates.

"This promotion is extra special for me being as though I checked onboard Nimitz in October of 2007 as FC3 [Fire Controlman 3rd Class] Washington," said Washington. "Ten years later, I am back onboard Nimitz being promoted to lieutenant."

A graduate of Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin High School, she enlisted in the Navy in 2006 and earned her commission in August 2013.

"I joined the Navy when I was 27 years old after graduating from Drexel University with a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering and a B.S. degree in architectural engineering," said Washington. "I was blessed to make FC1 [Fire Controlman 1st Class] in five and a half years. I worked on my officer package for two years in order to apply for the intelligence community."

Currently serving as the flag intelligence watch officer aboard the Navy's oldest active aircraft carrier, Washington's career has taken her all over the world and led to experiences she never imagined.

"I have been blessed to visit eight different countries, experience cultures from various parts of the world and meet so many different shipmates that are now my family," said Washington. "If I had been told that I'd be a naval officer in the United States Navy when I graduated college, I would not have believed it. Now, I can't imagine doing anything else with my life."

Washington credits her success in the Navy to God and her mother, and attributes her "go-getter" attitude to her hometown.

"The city of brotherly love has been known to be the city where dreams come true because you made them," said Washington. "Those from Philly definitely have a spirit within them of a go-getter. I personally don't believe in settling for mediocre when greatness is an option. Some great words of advice given to me by my mother while growing up in North Philadelphia were, 'Your surroundings do not define you. Get out and see the world and send me postcards.'"

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• Date Taken: 09.04.2017
• Date Posted: 09.07.2017 00:26
• Story ID: 247284
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)
• Hometown: PHILADELPHIA, PA, US