PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS NIKITA CUSTER
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nikita Custer is a native of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She enlisted in the Navy in November 2017. She received the Navy Basic Military Training Honor Ribbon upon graduating bootcamp at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois, in January 2018.
Directly after graduation, she reported to Mass Communication Specialist training at the Defense Information School at Fort Meade, Maryland. In July 2018, she obtained the highest overall GPA within her class and graduated the Basic Mass Communication Specialist Course as honor graduate.
Upon completion of training, she received orders to USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in Norfolk, Virginia. During her tour, she served as media department photographer and journalist. Additionally, she was selected as the sole MC aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) to support DESRON 2’s (CDS 2) Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise. In January 2019, Custer reported to Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic (CNAL). She served as assistant leading petty officer and creative lead for all visual productions at the command.
She received orders to Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) in Great Lakes, Illinois in November 2019. During her tour, she spent one month TAD to a Recruit Training Command Restriction of Movement (ROM) detachment at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin where she independently documented the site’s establishment. She currently serves as a media specialist responsible for photo, graphic and video productions at the command.
Her awards include a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and four Flag Letters of Commendation.
