Seaman Jadon Edwards, a native of Eden, Georgia, serves in Japan aboard a forward-deployed U.S. Navy warship.
Edwards graduated from Effingham County High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Eden.
“Growing up, I learned that I shouldn’t be too hard on myself and to take my time,” said Edwards.
Edwards joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Edwards serves as a sonar technician.
“I joined the Navy to take control of my future,” said Edwards. “My father was in the Navy and it led him to many adventures, I wanted that for me.”
USS John Finn, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments.
A Navy destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a large group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
More than 300 sailors serve aboard USS John Finn Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.
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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Edwards serves in Japan as part of the forward-deployed naval forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Edwards has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of traveling half the planet,” said Edwards. “The Navy provides a lot of opportunities for travel and seeing the world.”
Edwards can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means enduring and overcoming various challenges so that others don’t have to,” said Edwards.
Edwards is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my dad,” added Edwards. “He was in the Navy in the early 2000s and he guided me along the way.”
