Thumbnail image by David Mark from Pixabay
By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach
In light of the Navy’s 247th birthday today, read about a local Zephyrhills resident’s Seabees story.
Since 1942, sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Construction Force have been building and fighting around the world. Constructionman Isaiah Mosley, a Zephyrhills, Florida, native is one of those sailors.
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.
Mosley, a 2018, James Irwin graduate, currently serves with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion One at the headquarters for naval construction forces in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Mosley is continuing a family tradition of military service.
“I had a cousin who served in the Marines,” said Mosley. “Both my grandfathers were in the military. On my mother’s side, he was in the Army, and my great grandfather on my father’s side was in the Air Force.”
The values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Zephyrhills.
“Growing up, I learned the importance of patience in Zephyrhills,” said Mosley.
Serving in the Navy means Mosley 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 protects the seas and shows that the water should always be accessible,” said Mosley.
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, combat-credible fleet.”
Mosley has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud of expanding and using my skills to advance my own personal goals towards the mission of our Navy,” said Mosley.
Mosley can take pride in continuing an 80-year legacy of service in the United States Navy, making a name for himself as a Seabee.
“Serving in the Navy means protecting the freedoms of others so that they can enjoy those freedoms,” added Mosley.
Learn more about the Navy and Seabees at www.necc.usff.navy.mil/seabees/.
