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Petty Officer 2nd Class Katelyn Ramsey Courtesy Photo
GULFPORT, MISS. – Since 1942, sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Construction Force have been building and fighting around the world. Petty Officer 2nd Class Katelyn Ramsey, a Grants, New Mexico, native is one of those sailors. “I joined the Navy to force myself outside my comfort zone and try something new,” said Ramsey. Eighty years ago, members of Navy Construction Battalions were fittingly nicknamed, “Seabees,” a play on the C and B initials. They are responsible for building military bases and airfields, supporting humanitarian efforts and conducting underwater construction projects.
Ramsey graduated from Grants High School in 2017. “I'd like to thank both my sergeant and gunnery sergeant,” said Ramsey. 'They taught me everything I know about the military. They were the leading factor in my wanting to join.'
“I'd also like to thank my parents for supporting me,” said Ramsey. 'Without their support and raising me the way they did, I would not have made the choices I made and would not be where I am today.”
The values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Grants.
“I was in a Marine ROTC unit at Grants High School,” said Ramsey. 'One of the lessons we learned was how to take care of others while serving as a leader.'
Ramsey currently serves as an engineering aide with Naval Construction Training Center at the headquarters for naval construction forces in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Serving in the Navy means Ramsey is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy provides presence and power projection around the world,” said Ramsey. 'We help ensure nothing bad happens because our potential enemies know that we'll be ready.' With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize the importance of accelerating America’s advantage at sea. “Maintaining the world’s best Navy is an investment in the security and prosperity of the United States, as well as the stability of our world,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “The U.S. Navy— forward deployed and integrated with all elements of national power—deters conflict, strengthens our alliances and partnerships, and guarantees free and open access to the world’s oceans. As the United States responds to the security environment through integrated deterrence, our Navy must continue to deploy forward and campaign with a ready, capable, combatcredible fleet.” Ramsey has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service. “I was part of cutting up the USS Arizona for memorial purposes,” said Ramsey. 'We sent pieces of the former battleship to museums, colleges and other countries.' Ramsey can take pride in continuing an 80year legacy of service in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy is more than a job,” added Ramsey. 'It's a lifestyle that has helped me be more accountable for my actions. It's helped me better myself and learn harder adult lessons with the safety net the Navy provides.'