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    Recruit Training Command Meet the Sailor

    Recruit Training Command Meet The Sailor

    Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Camilo E Fernan | Seaman Tijesunimi Ajala poses for a portrait photo at Recruit Training Command. More...... read more read more

    Seaman Tijesunimi Ajala, from #Dallas #Texas , recently graduated from the #Navy ‘s only #BootCamp . We sat down with him to ask a few questions, so that everyone has a chance to meet one of our newest Sailors!

    Q: Why did you join the Navy?

    A: I joined the Navy for my family. I wanted more financial stability, and I wanted to secure the G.I. Bill for my dependents so I can pass it on to them at some point in the future. Knowing fully well how expensive health insurance is here in the United States, that is also one of the reasons which the Navy has afforded me so far.

    Q: What does being recognized as a spotlight Sailor mean to you?

    A: It gives me goosebumps. As an immigrant, [I migrated from Nigeria to the United States in 2017] it is a privilege for me to be recognized. Ever since I was told about this, I have not been able to contain the joy I feel, which I told my wife about. This means that every good/positive effort I’m making in-line of my duty/responsibility is being recognized. It tells me that I should do more, because I have already set a standard for myself which I expect not to go down. This is placing me in the spotlight that I cannot afford to mess-up.

    Q: Who motivated you during boot camp and how did they do that?

    A: First, I will say my RDCs (AO1 Campbell, EM1 Smith, EN1 Pearson, and MM1 Jimenez) did a very good job on us during training and I do not take it for granted. They pushed me and other recruits to be the best we can. One person I will not overlook is Petty Officer 1st Class Smith. He understood my personality and dealt with me accordingly to make me achieve success.
    Secondly, I will be ungrateful not to acknowledge my wife and sweetheart. She was very supportive especially sending me encouraging letters from home. This kept me going, knowing fully well that I cannot fail her.

    Q: What was the biggest challenge for you in boot camp?

    A: Personally, of all the activities and drills we had during boot camp, the most challenging part of training was swimming. I struggled with swimming so much, I almost gave up, but I’m glad I did not because it has become part of my success story. I figured out how to properly swim late in training. Thanks to the incredible swim instructors we have at the Combat Pool. It was when I learned to relax my body, clear my head [to remind myself] that I would not drown, that I was able to swim properly, and interestingly, Prone Float and Abandon Ship was much easier for me.

    Ajala loves to play soccer as a goalkeeper, and plays drums for his church choir. He has a wife and young daughter back at home. He holds a Master of Science degree in Public Health from University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.15.2021
    Date Posted: 11.15.2021 11:03
    Story ID: 409315
    Location: IL, US

    Web Views: 151
    Downloads: 0

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