Like many young men growing up, Owensboro native Jamie Howard wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and serve his country in the United States military.
“I always looked up to them,” Howard said. “I’ve always known I wanted to serve.”
However, Jerry and Jeremy Howard were both Army men, so Jamie carved his own path in the U.S. Navy. Working as an Operations Specialist, operating and controlling radar onboard ship, Howard has been assigned to the U.S.S. Nimitz stationed at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington since December 2014.
Named after World War II Navy Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz, Sr., the Nimitz is not only one of the largest warships in the world, it is also currently the oldest American aircraft carrier in active service. Last year, Howard was able to visit India, Bahrain, Dubai and Hawaii while onboard the Nimitz.
“Our job was tracking contacts up to 300 miles away and directing the ship, making sure nothing’s in our way,” Howard said. “It’s always fun saying you were able to control a multi-million dollar ship.”
At 22 years old, Howard is now in the fifth and final year of his enlistment and is anticipating his last deployment. On Saturday, he boarded a flight en route to Singapore to meet his new ship, the U.S.S. Stennis.
“I’m expecting for this one to be a lot different,” Howard said, adding that this trip would literally be taking him around the world to undisclosed areas in Asia, the Middle East and Europe, before docking at its new home in Virginia.
As far as being fearful of his around-the-world mission, Howard places his trust in his abilities to do his job and in his shipmates.
“You just do your job. You know the things that can happen while doing your job. You trust the people around you,” Howard said. “If you all do your job there’s no one that can hurt us. I truly do believe that we are the best trained military in the world.”
Being the Kentucky outdoorsman he is, Howard said he is looking forward to the architecture and terrain he will see throughout his journey.
“I like going to see their structures, and if they have mountains,” Howard said. “And then trying food along the way is a plus. I just take it all in…see as much of the country as I can while I’m in.”
An element that has helped build the anticipation for this trip is that Howard’s roommate and best friend Dominique Grant, volunteered to assist on the Stennis as well.
“We became best friends the day we graduated boot camp,” Howard said. “It just so happened we were stationed together on the Nimitz. Then we both volunteered to go help out on the Stennis.”
Grant is from Shreveport, Louisiana, so he and Howard both have an appreciation for the foods of their region.
“No one even knows what burgoo is,” Howard said. “My friend got it sent to Japan, so I ordered a gallon and Moonlite overnighted it to me and I was like, ‘Wow.’”
While Moonlite Bar-B-Q may have provided a small taste of home, Howard is looking forward to moving back to Owensboro next summer after his enlistment is up and finishing his college degree. Howard has been using the Navy’s tuition assistance program toward a degree in welding while on active duty.
“I love welding, so it’s perfect for me,” Howard said, adding that he plans to utilize the G.I. Bill after he gets out in order to complete his education. ”I will probably get my bachelor’s in industrial technology.”
Before settling down back home, Howard said he and his dad do have one more trip planned.
“Me and my dad are going to drive across the country, taking our time to explore,” he said.
“We’re not even going to get a hotel. We’re just going to camp out in campsites along the way.”
While Howard is excited about returning home to Owensboro and to family next year, he has made peace with the fact that he will be gone again this Christmas.
“I’ve spent the last three Christmases away from home, so I’m used to it by now,” he said. “But it’s nice knowing that our job is what is allowing the folks back home to enjoy their holidays safely.”
