Princeton Native Serves Aboard Future Navy Warship

U.S. Navy sailors serve and protect around the globe, including Petty Officer 2nd Class Bradley Willis, a native of Princeton, Indiana.

READ MORE: U.S. Navy Makes Military History With First Coed Submarine

The U.S. Navy is among the largest in the world, with well over 300,000 active-duty personnel and over 100,000 in reserve. Individuals entering the U.S. Navy can choose from over 150 roles to utilize their unique talents and skills, and every one of those fields is open to both men and women. Many people from our area have served or are currently serving in the fleet, including one sailor from Gibson County, Indiana.

Meet Petty Officer 2nd Class Bradley Willis

Petty Officer 2nd Class Bradley Willis is a 2013 graduate of Princeton Community High School who joined the U.S. Navy four years ago as a means of personal growth and development. He recently spoke with Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Whitten Helton, who is responsible for sharing his story with us. Willis told Helton that the values he learned in his hometown came in handy when joining the military.

"Joining the Navy is the proudest thing I've ever done," he said. "I learned that traditional values and being able to respect other people and follow orders will take you far."

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Today, Willis serves aboard the Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) John F. Kennedy as a trained interior communications electrician. According to Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Helton, Willis is part of a Navy that operates far forward, around the world, and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security. In doing so, the Princeton native has achieved both professional and personal success.

“I'm really proud of how quickly I've earned Second Class,” Willis told Helton. "I'm also proud of being able to come back from the low points in my life to be where I am today."

The Ford Class Aircraft Carrier 'John F. Kennedy' (CVN 79)

According to Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic (AIRLANT), PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is the second aircraft carrier in the Ford Class, which consists of nuclear-powered vessels. The first to be built under this designation was the Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), which introduced the U.S. Navy to the first new class of aircraft carriers in over 40 years. The John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is currently under construction in Newport News, Virginia, and is scheduled to begin service in 2025.

This will be the second vessel to honor President John F. Kennedy, who served as a Navy lieutenant during World War II. The first John F. Kennedy (CV 67) aircraft carrier served the fleet for over 50 years and was decommissioned in 2007. You can learn more about the new carrier and Petty Officer 2nd Class Bradley Willis by clicking HERE.