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    America’s Navy: the Right Choice for Montana Sailor

    Recruiter Spotlight

    Photo By Burrell Parmer | JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON - (June 26, 2019) Damage Controlman 1st Class...... read more read more

    TX, UNITED STATES

    11.08.2019

    Story by Burrell Parmer 

    Commander, Navy Recruiting Command

    SAN ANTONIO – (June 26, 2019) Being self-assured yet respectful is one way to describe Damage Controlman 1st Class Patricia Johnston, currently assigned to Navy Recruiting Station (NRS) McAllen, Navy Recruiting District (NRD) San Antonio. Seven years ago Johnston enlisted out of Great Falls, Montana, and the U.S. Navy has lifted her to great heights ever since.

    “I joined the Navy because I was making a lot of bad choices with my life,” said Johnston. “I was very smart and wanted to apply myself to be someone better. The Navy gave me the opportunity to get out of a situation and change my life.”

    Johnston said the Navy provided her with an environment where she could grow personally and professionally.

    “The Navy has empowered me to be a better woman, to have determination, to get up after I’ve fallen, to be confident, to be humble and to believe in myself,” said Johnston. “The Navy has taught me overall how to be a better person and, most importantly, how to be successful.”
    Johnston has served on the aircraft carriers, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), USS George Washington (CVN-73) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), but eventually chose to become a recruiter to help others make positive changes.

    “I will never forget where I came from,” said Johnston. “I knew that there were young kids and even adults who were in my shoes before I joined the Navy. I wanted to pay them back with the same opportunities my recruiter offered me.”

    In her first year of recruiting, Johnston earned “recruiter of the month” and has received four Gold Wreath Awards, which signify exceptional performance in recruiting.

    “Recruiting is important because the Navy saved my life, and I want young adults and kids to know that there’s always something better out there,” said Johnston. “Whether the Navy turns into their career or just a milestone in their life, it’s gratifying to know that I helped them start a path to success.”

    Johnston said that recruiting in certain regions of Texas can be challenging due to language barriers.

    “My recruiting station is nested in the Rio Grande Valley, and not being bilingual was difficult, but a lot of future Sailors and their families helped me learn, so now I feel more comfortable,” said Johnston.

    During off-duty hours, Johnston tutors high school students, volunteers at a local animal shelter, and is working to become a volunteer firefighter in Edinburg, Texas.

    “I like going to the animal shelter because animals are my weakness. They are so sweet,” Johnston continued. “Conducting community service shows that we’re not all about recruiting people into the Navy, but we really care for our community.”

    Two of Johnston’s professional goals are to complete her bachelor’s degree and to earn the rank of chief petty officer before departing NRD San Antonio.

    “I do plan on staying in the Navy to become a warrant officer like retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Abraham Bryan, who was the best mentor that I’ve ever had,” said Johnston. “I want to be like him or maybe better.”
    Johnston attributes the Navy as the reason for her success, and she strives to help others make the same positive choices.

    “I just want to assist people in changing their lives,” said Johnston. “Earning awards and being recognized are wonderful things, but I place importance on helping applicants and future Sailors because they will be my replacements in the fleet.”

    NRD San Antonio’s area of responsibility include 34 Navy Recruiting Stations and Navy Officer Recruiting Stations spread throughout 144,000 square miles of Texas territory, spanning from Waco, west to Midland/Odessa, southwest towards El Paso, southeast along the Rio Grande Valley, and west of College Station.

    NRC consists of a command headquarters, three Navy Recruiting Regions, 16 Navy Recruiting Districts and 10 Navy Talent Acquisition Groups that serve more than 1,300 recruiting stations across the country. Their combined goal is to attract the highest quality candidates to assure the ongoing success of America’s Navy.

    For more news from Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, go to http://www.cnrc.navy.mil.Follow Navy Recruiting on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NavyRecruiting), Twitter (@USNRecruiter) and Instagram (@USNRecruiter).

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.08.2019
    Date Posted: 11.08.2019 09:25
    Story ID: 351081
    Location: TX, US

    Web Views: 211
    Downloads: 0

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