Other than the occasional haboob, 2018 Casa Grande High School graduate Rowan Isaacs had little experience with weather. Let alone extreme weather.
Today the petty officer 3rd class, a Casa Grande native, serves at the U.S. Navy Fleet Weather Center in Norfolk Virginia with a primary mission of monitoring extreme weather conditions in support of daily operations.
According to Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach, the Fleet Weather Center is responsible for “providing timely, comprehensive and tactically relevant information for ships, submarines, aircraft and other commands operating out of the Hampton Roads area.”
America is a maritime nation and must have the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans to maintain its prosperity, according to Navy officials. Consider these facts:
- 70% of the earth is covered by water
- 80% of the world’s population lives near a coastal region
- 90% of all global trade volume travels by sea
Isaacs is a Navy information systems technician; he provides technical support to the people who stand watch to ensure they have the needed tools to do their job. He plays an important part in America’s focus on “…rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the national defense strategy,” Plexico said in Navy blog post.
Isaacs had to pass an oral board to be assigned to his current job position.
Isaacs said family traditions and work ethics were an important part of his decision to serve in the military.
“My mom and dad were hardworking people, so I learned the importance of a strong work ethic and pushing myself to get where I want to be,” he said. “My grandfather served in the Marine Corps.”
“Serving in the Navy means sacrifice and hard work,” Isaacs added. “I appreciate the ability to work on personal goals, such as military qualifications and civilian classes. There are a lot of people my age who have a lot of debt going to college, but I chose to jumpstart my career in the Navy.”