Sailor in the Spotlight

CM3 Bhritney Dabideen (Public Works)

The Public Works Department onboard Naval Air Station Sigonella, made up of mostly Seabees, does not spend their days stuck behind a desk. There isn’t much going on around base that PWD doesn’t have their hands in. From conducting general maintenance around base to keeping government owned vehicles in good running condition, PWD is integral to keep the base operating smoothly. It takes Sailors like Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Bhritney Dabideen, from the Bronx, New York to meet their mission.

Dabideen wasn’t always a CM; she joined the Navy as an undesignated Sailor. This usually means working without a rate for about two years before being given the opportunity to choose a permanent rate. As a Navy CM, she repairs and maintains heavy construction and automotive equipment.

My favorite part about my job is just being able to be a mechanic,” said Dabideen. “You just get to learn something new everyday. CM is a really complicated rate to just jump into, and so everyday can be a new challenge to overcome.

For some Sailors, doing their prescribed job is just the beginning, and they take on several collateral duties. Dabideen serves as captain of base color guard ceremonies. She also is an Assistant Command Fitness Leader for Public Works as well as being in charge of production control for her department.

Dabideen has been in the Navy for a little over four years with Sigonella being her second command. Her first duty station was at Point Loma in San Diego, California. While she was there she got to work on submarines and was sent on multiple deployments. There she was also tasked with being the deck supervisor as a seaman apprentice.

While in San Diego I made some great memories and even greater friends,” said Dabideen. “Now I am looking forward to making many new memories and friends here in Sigonella.

Being stationed overseas in Europe has its perks, and for Dabideen, provides a unique advantage.

My favorite part of Europe is definitely London,” said Dabideen. “To me, it is a mixture of my two favorite places—New York and the country I am originally from, Guyana. Guyana was a colony of Britain until recently, so they still share a lot of the same culture.

Many junior Sailors don’t know if they will commit to a full Navy career, but Dabideen already has her mind made up to do a full 20 years.

Everyone I have met in the past four years has become part of my family, and I hope I get to continue my career for the next 16 years,” said Dabideen.