Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Ashley Estrella | ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept. 17, 2019) Culinary Specialist 3rd Class James Strozier, from...... read more read more
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Ike’s Sailors Crush Goals
By MC3 Ashley m.c. Estrella
Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) achieve milestones in their careers by incrementally progressing toward their goals, whether it’s joining a special warfare program or earning a commissioning opportunity.
Two of Ike’s Sailors are shooting for long-range military careers in specialized fields. Seaman Devon Dixon is working on a package for special operations, while Culinary Specialist 3rd Class James Strozier will attend officer candidate school to join the ranks of U.S. Army officers in December.
“I couldn’t do a single pull-up,” said Strozier. “Now I crank out 120 pull-ups and about 300 pushups in one workout. I just kept failing and refused to stop trying. That’s how I made it to where I am today. There is no special secret which makes me better than anyone. I’m just willing to do what it takes no matter how challenging. I have to be the best in my class, the top amongst my peers. I have to keep going. I always strive for excellence and meet a new mark. It’s just the beginning for me.”
Strozier spent years planning to become a commissioned officer in the armed forces. He carries on a military legacy. His mom and dad were in the Navy and his grandpa served in the Army. He enlisted in the Army National Guard at 19 years old and planned to continue his career after graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania as an Army officer. However, it took years to finally accomplish what he set out to do.
When asked how he managed to continue, he simply stated: “Just don’t give up.” After five years of working toward earning a commission, his dream has finally come true.
“I always wanted to be a soldier ever since I was six years old,” said Strozier. “I had everything ready to become a pilot after graduating college, but my eyesight did not allow me to continue my plan. I had a lot of obstacles, but I see every obstacle as an opportunity. Even in college I wanted to become an officer the entire time.”
Strozier had the option to exit the military on a conditional release. He instead decided to join the Navy. He said learning how to set small goals and reach them in the Navy helped him learn how to continue to develop.
“It helped me become a man,” Strozier said. “It helped me grow up and gain a deeper respect for authority. I’m grateful for the direction the Navy has given me at this point in my life. I have a strong moral compass, a high level of integrity, and incredible resilience.”
Another Ike Sailor also exhibits tenacity and strives to reach new heights since he enlisted in the Navy after college. Upon graduating from Central Connecticut State University, Seaman Dixon worked as a correctional officer with a number of military veterans and built a strong rapport with them. He said he wanted to make some of their memories his new experiences. He also said it wasn’t the first time he considered joining the military. He thought about it before and his new friends reminded him of something he already had in his heart.
“I don’t remember how old I was, but I knew as a small child I wanted to join the Navy,” said Dixon. “I feel it is part of my destiny. I wanted to join the Navy throughout my childhood, into my teen years and even considered it in college, but I didn’t know in what capacity, so I didn’t do it until I was 29 years old.”
Dixon said many people discouraged him from enlisting instead of applying to earn a commission. However, he felt that serving as an enlisted member in the special operations community in the Navy was his calling.
“I feel becoming a Navy SEAL is my destiny,” said Dixon. “My goals are very specific to ensure my mind and body are ready. I set clear targets on how to think and physically progress.”
He reads books and spends time learning how to approach things to maximize his results. There are times when Dixon said the concept of mind over matter keeps him on track to reaching his objectives especially when faced with tasks that require an action he dislikes.
“I realized that when you look at someone great, it’s mostly mindset, so I changed my thinking. I believe sometimes changing your lifestyle and making new habits associated with reaching your goals can be a shock, but eventually you will adapt. Your mind will adapt and your body will follow. I hate running. I do it anyway. It has to be done. I would run from my house to the ship. After the work day ended, I would run to the gym, workout and run home. I ran a little over seven miles every day. All of the fruits of your labor will be at your disposal. Celebrating the small milestones and working on little things is key. It is easy to celebrate the big things, but it very necessary to value all victories.”
Dixon said people who were already a part of the special operations community helped him overcome some of the challenges he had with his training. He took his first attempt at the physical fitness assessment required to become a Navy SEAL earlier this year.
“I was apprehensive about my swim time, but I passed with ease,” said Dixon. “I wasn’t concerned with my run time, but I missed it by 37 seconds. I was very disappointed. However, I am not going to let 37 seconds get in the way of my dream.”
Dixon said one of the people there to assess potential candidates’ physical abilities saw a look of discouragement on his face and offered him advice.
“He said I was one of the biggest guys out on the field and I was putting in the most effort,” said Dixon. “He asked me how much I weighed. I told him I weighed 255 pounds. He explained I should drop some muscle mass and I could run the required time with ease. It really motivated me. Even if I don’t get exactly where I want to be I won’t give up. If for some reason I never make it, I can still celebrate that I was daring enough to take a chance and put forth everything I had at my disposal to try. I can sleep well at night knowing I gave it my all, that has its own satisfaction for me outside of the achievement. You’re not really living if you’re not taking chances. Anything that is worth it will come to you through pain and sacrifice. Nothing good comes easy.”
Dixon continued to run, adjusted his diet and has lost 25 pounds to prepare for his upcoming physical fitness test on Oct. 17.
While Dixon is working on his physical and mental resilience for his upcoming test, Strozier will only have a month and a half left onboard by mid-October before he attends officer candidate school.
While they are pursuing different paths, both Ike Sailors will continue shooting for excellence, building resiliency, and setting new goals to help with their pursuit of success in specialized fields.
| Date Taken: | 09.18.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 09.27.2019 13:29 |
| Story ID: | 344163 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 88 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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