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She works in a field normally dominated, but that doesn’t bother this Sailor from doing what she loves.
Machinist’s Mate Fireman Alena Wojcik is one of the newest Sailors assigned to the hydraulic shop aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5); where the smell of hot metal and grease fills the air and the loud sounds of engines running and clanking enter everyone’s ears. While this job field can be intimidating for anyone, as one of the few female engineers in the department, Wojcik uses that as motivation to work harder.
“I want to go past the social norm of girls not working with machinery and not getting their hands dirty,” said Wojcik. “I don’t want to be a part of a stereo-type.”
In her second year of college, Wojcik decided she needed more structure in her life so she decided to take a different path. After a friend suggested the military, for it’s structure and discipline, Wojcik decided the Navy would be a great way to help her reach her goals.
When Wojcik went to the Military Entry Processing Station, they offered her Machinist’s Mate and she instantly knew that would be a good fit for her. The Redford, Mich., native, explained that her interest with working with her hands began from watching her childhood friend who raced and worked on dirt bikes.
“Machinist’s Mates don’t necessarily work with cars but it’s along the lines of an engineering type job that can help me when I get out of the Navy,” said Wojcik.
Machinist’s Mates are responsible for operating, maintaining and repairing ship propulsion machinery, auxiliary equipment, marine boilers and other machinery onboard.
Wojcik works in the hydraulic shop, which operates and maintains the elevators used to transport aircraft, supplies and weapons to various locations around the ship. They also operate the ventilation doors in the vehicle stowage area in order to maintain proper ventilation during vehicle maintenance when Marines and their equipment are embarked.
While fairly new to the command, Wojcik’s personal and professional goals are on track for success. Besides learning all she can about her job field, she is currently studying for advancement to 3rd Class Petty Officer as well as plans to pursue an engineering degree in hopes of working in the same field after her naval career.
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 12.13.2017 20:55 |
| Story ID: | 258784 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Hometown: | REDFORD, MI, US |
| Web Views: | 20 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Starting the Engine to Success, by SN Zachariah L Grabill, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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