Aviation Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class, Shelby Mann, from Udall, Kansas, is currently assigned to the USS America in the Indo-Pacific region.
Mann was on liberty in Japan when we had a chance to ask her about her job as an Aviation Boatswain's Mate assigned to Handling, or ABH, and her decision to enlist in the Navy.
She says her Uncle helped her decide, being an ABH himself. Her job involves landing, launching and recovering jets, and helicopters on the flight deck, as well as larger aircraft as well as firefighting.
The U-S-S America is an amphibious assault ship that launched in 2012 with a compliment of 102 officers, and 1,100 enlisted, which is a larger complement than the population of her home town of Udall.
"Growing up in such a small community, you know everyone," Mann said. "Coming here, and especially getting the Marines onboard, our size doubles. It's definitely intimidating, at first, but then you get used to it, and it feels very natural," she added.
Mann had plans to finish her degree and continue her education after leaving the Navy.
You can listen to her full interview below.
