“I have a family history in the military and I wanted to serve as well,” said Carder. “The Navy offers opportunities and experiences that you can’t get anywhere else.”
Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Golden.
“I learned that there is no substitute for hard work,” said Carder. “The best way to master a skill is through reps and sets; be it academics, sports or naval aviation.”
Carder serves as a student pilot with Training Squadron 22, a strike jet training squadron, located at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas.
“I enjoy serving with the people in the aviation community,” said Carder. “It’s extremely challenging and rewarding. Being able to do that alongside a great group of people makes it even better.”
The air training program focuses on the increased complexity of today’s aircraft. After successfully completing the rigorous program, naval aviators earn their coveted “Wings of Gold.”
After graduation, pilots continue their training to learn how to fly a specific aircraft, such as the Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter attack jet, the F-35 Lightning strike fighter jet or the SH-60 Seahawk helicopter. These aircraft take off from and land on Navy aircraft carriers at sea.
Navy aircraft carriers are designed for a 50-year service life. When the air wing is embarked, the ship carries more than 70 attack fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft, all of which take off from and land aboard the carrier at sea. With more than 5,000 sailors serving aboard, the aircraft carrier is a self-contained mobile airport.
Aircraft carriers are often the first response to a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans.
Since USS Langley’s commissioning 100 years ago, the nation’s aircraft carriers and embarked carrier air wings have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.
“The aircraft carrier is our U.S. Navy’s centerpiece, our flagship, and a constant reminder to the rest of the world of our enduring maritime presence and influence,” said Rear Adm. James P. Downey, USN, Program Executive Officer (PEO) Aircraft Carriers. “These ships touch every part of our Navy’s mission to project power, ensure sea control, and deter our adversaries.”
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 that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to ready sailors and a strong Navy.
“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, combat-credible fleet.”
Serving in the Navy means Carder is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy provides the military to protect power anywhere in the world,” said Carder. “It’s instrumental in protecting and preserving America’s ideals as well as global stability.”
Carder has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is being commissioned as a naval officer,” said Carder. “I did NROTC in college. It was a great experience to finally reach that milestone and have the experiences and results from all that time and effort put forth in achieving my goals.”
As Carder and other sailors continue to perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“It’s about being a part of something bigger than yourself,” added Carder. “I’m very fortunate to have the opportunity to not only be in naval aviation but the United States Navy as a whole.”
By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach