Bright future, chance to serve drew Ojeda to USCG

U.S. COAST GUARD EDITION, The Daily Advance , Frida y, July 31, 2020

7

Bright future, chance to serve draw Ojeda to USCG

BY CHRIS DAY Multimedia Editor

Petty Officer 3rd Class Clarissa Ojeda is a yeoman assigned to Base Elizabeth City.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Lara Davis/US Coast Guard

Achance for a future filled with accomplishments and to serve others are among the reasons Petty Officer 3rd Class Clarissa Ojeda joined the US Coast Guard. “I wanted a future where I could look back at my past and be proud of how far I came, what I accomplished, and hopefully the lives I helped make better,” she said. Ojeda, 25, joined the Coast Guard in August 2016. The San Diego native is a yeoman assigned to Base Elizabeth City, where she works as a servicing personnel officer. She is responsible for maintaining the personnel records of more than 300 fellow service members. It’s the opportunity to work with so many different members of the Coast Guard that attracted her to a career as a yeoman. “Coming into the Coast Guard I was originally at an operational unit, which I really enjoyed,” she said. “I really liked the idea of helping people and getting to know members on a different level. So, I chose to go into the yeoman rating.”

With a roster of about 40,000 active duty personnel, the Coast Guard is the smallest of the nation’s five armed services. Belonging to such a small service makes it special to Ojeda. “I enjoy being a part of such a small rates they have chosen. It’s a good representation of the overall Coast Guard, she said. “I like Base Elizabeth City because of how diverse it is when it comes to people and ratings,” she said. “There Command, the Aviation Technical Training Command, the small boat station, the air station and the National Strike Force. The NSF is located off the main base on U.S. Highway 17 just north of town. service. You get to move around and is a little bit of everything, plus the Ojeda has earned several ribbons meet new people, or see someone you crossed paths with before,” she said. “You have people that are there to help mold you into a better leader, give you opportunities to succeed and to get out of your comfort zone.” sunrises are beautiful.” Base Elizabeth City is one of seven commands that make up the Coast Guard presence in Elizabeth City. The other commands are the Aircraft Project Office, the Aviation Logistics and medals during her time in the Coast Guard, to include a meritorious team commendation ribbon, a Commandant’s letter of commendation ribbon, a sea service ribbon and a good conduct medal. H IGH & C ROWE LLP Attorneys at Law Prior to Elizabeth City, Ojeda was stationed aboard the Cutter Terrapin, an 87-foot coastal patrol boat that calls Bellingham, Washington, its homeport. Aboard Terrapin, Ojeda participated in a variety of Coast H IGH & C ROWE LLP H IGH & C ROWE LLP H IGH & C ROWE LLP W. Hackney High, Jr. Attorney at Law whigh@highandcrowe.com William M. Crowe Attorney at Law wcrowe@highandcrowe.com Guard missions. “I really enjoyed conducting law enforcement and search and rescue missions while onboard Terrapin,” she said. “There is no greater feeling than being a part of saving lives.” Attorneys at Law W. Hackney High, Jr. Attorney at Law whigh@highandcrowe.com William M. Crowe Attorney at Law wcrowe@highandcrowe.com Attorneys at Law W. Hackney High, Jr. Attorney at Law whigh@highandcrowe.com William M. Crowe Attorney at Law wcrowe@highandcrowe.com Attorneys at Law W. Hackney High, Jr. Attorney at Law whigh@highandcrowe.com William M. Crowe Attorney at Law wcrowe@highandcrowe.com 252-482-4422 Closer to home, Ojeda says she enjoys Base Elizabeth City because of the diversity in people and the career Civil and Criminal Litigation • Real Estate Wills and Estates • Personal Injury Corporations • Governmental Affairs Civil and Criminal Litigation • Real Estate • Wills and Estates • Personal Injury Corporations • Governmental Affairs

ElizabEth City briCk Co., inC. 335-2965

WALLS ¤ SAND ¤ PAVERS GRAVEL ¤ FIREPITS ¤ EDGING Come see us for your HardsCape Needs

www.highandcrowe.com

Civil and Criminal Litigation • Real Estate

Thank You Wills and Estates • Personal Injury Corporations • Governmental Affairs

Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City Civil and Criminal Litigation • Real Estate Civil and Criminal Litigation • Real Estate www.highandcrowe.com For Your Service Wills and Estates • Personal Injury Wills and Estates • Personal Injury Corporations • Governmental Affairs Corporations • Governmental Affairs

109 Corporate Drive Elizabeth City, North Carolina 27909 T 252-335-4355 x 245811 F 252.335.4003 E joel.jackson@PBVLLC.com www.highandcrowe.com www.highandcrowe.com www.pepsibottlingventures.com