Photo By Seaman Zachariah L Grabill | 180809-N-GB113-0010 NORFOLK, Va. (Aug. 9, 2018) Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd...... read more read more
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The haze lifting off the track makes it look hot enough to fry an egg, the crowd cheers and a bead of sweat runs down the face of Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Dewaylon Wilson as he prepares to launch from the starting line.
Wilson has been a track athlete since his sophomore year at Sachse High School, located in Dallas.
“I started running because I was trying out every sport until I found something I was good at, and it just happened to be the second one I ran across, so I just stuck with it,” said Wilson.
After competing at the high school level in the 400 and 800 meter run dashes, Wilson went on to compete at the collegiate level Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, competing in the 400-meter relay and the four-by-four.
“It’s all about team work,” said Wilson. “You have to depend on your teammates to bring the baton around the track to you at a good place, and if not they need to be able to depend on you to catch the team back up.”
Wilson ensured his teammates could always depend on him by training as hard as he could every chance he got.
“Track is an individual sport but it’s a group of individuals working together as a team, everyone is on the same page by going to events and supporting each other and that’s what’s important,” said Wilson.” “Not everyone needs it, but it helps in a major way if you have a big support system of coaches, teammates, friends and family all in your ear.”
His hard work and dedication payed off when he received scholarships for track during his junior and senior year of college.
After college Wilson went on to a career in business management as a debt collector. Working as a debt collector left Wilson feeling unsatisfied, he didn’t like being the bearer of bad news to people he didn’t even know.
“I had a friend who was serving in the Army and I was really proud of him for it,” expressed Wilson.” It helped inspire me to join the service myself.”
After some internal debate between joining the Navy or Air Force, Wilson decided to join the Navy after getting some advice from friends who were serving in the Navy.
In April of 2015, Wilson began his Navy career at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, followed on by technical training as an aviation support equipment technician in Pensacola, Florida.
In August, Wilson received orders to the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) in August of 2015; where he brings the same motivation and dedication that carried him to success in his track career.
Since being aboard Wilson has earned three warfare qualifications and promoted to the rank of Third Class Petty Officer.
Wilson gives a lot of credit to his mentors aboard the ship for his ongoing perseverance and success while onboard.
“You have all these people trying to help you, obviously they see something in you so you might as well do the best you can,” explained Wilson.
Even with all his success he says that he’s not going to slow down by any means.
“You should never get to a point in your life where you’re comfortable, because if you’re comfortable you’ll stop progressing,” said Wilson.
His next big step and career goal is becoming a commissioned supply corps officer.
“If I get picked up as an officer, coming in as enlisted will give me better insight,” said Wilson. “Because I know what it’s like to be the guy sweeping a passageway and having someone walk through your dirt constantly.”
As a leader in the Navy, Wilson wants to leave the same impact on other junior Sailors that his mentors have instilled in him. You can see him mentoring junior Sailors on the deckplates offering candid conversations as a peer and providing sound advice with professional and personal related issues with the intentions to make the Navy an even better place for motivated men and women.
| Date Taken: | 08.17.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 08.17.2018 15:44 |
| Story ID: | 289309 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, The Race to Succeed in Life, 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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