Local native serving aboard USS Carl Vinson

U.S. Naval Petty Officer 2nd Class Kiara Brown, a native of the Richmond region, serves the U.S. Navy aboard one of the world’s largest warships: the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.

Brown joined the Navy four years ago. Today, she serves as a legalman.

“I knew that joining the Navy gave me an opportunity to affect change by being on the inside and learning as much as I can,” said Brown. “I knew that being in the Navy would allow me to help others to be better.”

Brown attended Henrico County Adult Education Center and graduated in 2010. Today, she relies upon skills and values similar to those found in her home region to succeed in the military.

“My hometown taught me to have integrity and not make excuses for any circumstances,” said Brown. “There is always a way to better your circumstances.”

These lessons have helped her while serving in the Navy.

USS Carl Vinson, like each of the Navy’s aircraft carriers, is designed for a 50-year service life. When the air wing is embarked, the ship carries more than 70 attack fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft, all of which take off from and land aboard the carrier at sea. With more than 5,000 sailors serving aboard, Carl Vinson is a self-contained mobile airport.

Aircraft carriers often are the first response to a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. Carrier strike groups have the unique advantage of mobility, making them far more strategically advantageous than fixed-site bases. No other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier's speed, endurance, agility, and the combat capability of its air wing.

The Carl Vinson and its crew recently returned to San Diego following an eight-month deployment to U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleets areas of operation.

“At the heart of every ship, whether ashore or at sea, are the Sailors that make up the crew and carry out the Navy’s missions with precision and dedication,” said Capt. P. Scott Miller, commanding officer of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. “The Vinson Sailors recently demonstrated this in our execution of a highly successful 7th Fleet deployment and continue this legacy of excellence at home in San Diego.”

During the USS Carl Vinson’s most recent deployment, the ship was underway for 262 days, conducting dual carrier operations and multinational exercises, including maritime security operations and integrated training between surface and air units.

USS Carl Vinson was the first aircraft carrier to deploy with a combination of fourth and fifth-generation platforms within Carrier Air Wing 2 that represent the “Air Wing of the Future,” including the F-35C Lightning IIs and the CMV-22B Ospreys.

Serving in the Navy means Brown is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy contributes to national security by being a dominant force at sea,” said Brown. “We have a critical role in ensuring safety at all major points: sea, land and air. Without the Navy, vital assets would not be protected.”

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

Brown and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“I am most proud of being accepted for conversion to the legalman rate, because I faced many obstacles along the way,” said Brown.

As Brown and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving in the Navy means to me that I am capable of doing anything I put my mind to,” added Brown. “I made this choice to make a difference in my life and the lives of those around me.”