Ft. Washington native serves aboard Navy warship in Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. — Petty Officer 1st Class Jamica Ballard, a native of Ft. Washington, Maryland, serves aboard a U.S. Navy warship operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.

Ballard attended Friendly High School and graduated in 2008.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Ft. Washington.

“I learned early on to stand out and not just do what everyone else was doing,” said Ballard. “Joining the Navy and having that ability to think outside the box has been key to my success.”

Ballard joined the Navy 15 years ago.

Today, Ballard serves as a mass communication specialist aboard USS Kearsarge.

“I joined the Navy because my brother was also joining and he asked me to come with him to the recruiter’s office,” said Ballard. “It turned out my brother didn’t join, but I did.”

Kearsarge’s crew is made up of approximately 1,200 crewmembers and can accommodate up to 1,800 Marines. Amphibious assault ships transfer Marines, equipment and supplies, and can support helicopters or other aircraft. Kearsarge is the third ship in the Wasp class of multipurpose amphibious assault ships and is the fourth Navy vessel to bear the name of Mount Kearsarge in New Hampshire.

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.

Ballard and the sailors she serves with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“I am proudest of being named Sailor of Year on board Kearsarge and getting meritoriously promoted to E-6,” said Ballard.

As Ballard and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving in the Navy means I am adaptable to any situation,” added Ballard. “Every ship or landscape you are in can be different and it requires you to be malleable so you can be your best under whatever circumstance you find yourself.”

Ballard is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my mom, Shari, for always inspiring me,” added Ballard. “She is the kind of woman who can do anything and seeing her made me open my mind to all possibilities and not limit myself to being one type of person. I also want to thank my fiance Corey, who is so supportive of my career. We are getting married in September and I can’t wait.”

“I am now in a place where I can start planning for my retirement,” said Ballard. “I have a goal to launch my own business and I want to start that before I end my Navy career.”