Sailor in the Spotlight

By MCSA Triniti Lersch, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

Tattoos are not what led Aviation Structural Mechanic (AM) Airman Jennifer Nguyen to the military, but they are what brought her to the Navy. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Nguyen wanted to leave home as soon as possible, but her initial plan of joining the Marines was thwarted due to their strict tattoo policies. Luckily, the Navy embraced her and her tattoos, and she joined February 25, 2019.

Nguyen is now serving at her first command, Naval Air Station Sigonella, with the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachment (AIMD) –500 Division with the Maintenance Department Aircraft Division. “Although new to the AIMD, and the Navy, AMAN Nguyen has become an asset to her division and a Sailor who her peers can truly rely on,” said Aviation Structural Mechanic First Class Michael Keran.

Aviation Structural Mechanics maintain aircraft airframes and structural components. They go to school for approximately nine weeks in Pensacola, Florida. They go through the basic aviation structural mechanic course and the basic aviation theory course to learn all the skills required for the specialized AM rating.

Nguyen’s daily work life is welding when people bring in their aircraft pieces and she makes sure people keep up with the maintenance. Being in charge of METCAL, she also makes sure that the 200 tools in her division are calibrated.

Currently, Nguyen is going to school for her bachelors in Aeronautical Science and plans to finish the degree in three years.

“She is on the fast-track to becoming the leader that today’s Navy needs,” remarked Keran.

Nguyen’s favorite saying is “Do as others say you are not capable of doing.” She chose it because all her life people have doubted her, and she wants to prove to herself that she can do what others don’t believe she can.

Although Nguyen is restricted in the dishes she can create due to the lack of kitchen equipment in the barracks, she enjoys cooking. Asian cuisine is her favorite, and she especially enjoys spring rolls and beef stir fry noodles.

Having arrived so soon before the lock down was set in place, Nguyen hasn’t been able to explore much. Nevertheless, her favorite place to visit here in Sicily is Taormina for their beaches.

She visited Berlin in February, and she looks forward to visiting France, mainland Italy, Spain, and Greece as soon as traveling is permitted.