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YOKOSUKA, Japan - The enlisted retention board has many sailors facing crossroads, but one sailor strives to stay optimistic despite the sudden change in her life.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Jaimie Rossoll, operations specialist, discovered shortly before the summer patrol that her final perform-to-serve look had been denied.
“My chief took me out to the bridge wing and broke the news to me,” she said. “That day was very upsetting for me.”
Rossoll said many people have helped her with planning for the future including Lt. William-James McEnerney, Ensign Matthew Deraps, and especially her leading chief petty officer, Chief Petty Officer Damiean Williams, operations specialist.
“You can’t replace OS2 Rossoll because she brings energy and ideas to the table that others don’t, and it’s disappointing to lose a sailor like that,” said Williams. “She was truly affected by the news because she intended to re-enlist, but I reminded her that with one door closing, another opens. I told her to keep doing her job, but also take the time to research and prepare for the future.”
Since that day, Rossoll has begun planning her life in the civilian world. She is taking a couple of college courses through the American Military University while she still has the opportunity to take advantage of tuition assistance. She is also looking into doing law enforcement and operations technology at the FBI Academy after she leaves the Navy.
ERB was created this year to help alleviate overmanning in 31 ratings by reviewing 16,000 service records and choosing 3,000 sailors for separation, according to Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson, chief of naval personnel.
Rossoll, however, remains positive about the situation.
“Yes, it stinks that I’m leaving, but the Navy has been a good experience and I’ve been to many places,” she said. “I’m excited to be starting a new chapter in my life and I’m looking forward to civilian life. Just because the Navy didn’t work out for me, that doesn’t mean it was bad and maybe this just wasn’t meant to be.”
| Date Taken: | 08.01.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.02.2011 18:00 |
| Story ID: | 74711 |
| Location: | YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 71 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Staying Positive Despite Unexpected Change, by PO1 Melvin Orr, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
