“I joined the Navy to pursue other ways of finding success for me and my family. I did shop around between the services but the Navy seemed to have better opportunities and that’s what I was looking for, just an opportunity that my local community could not provide in my opinion,” shares chief Navy counselor Dewayne C. Scott.
Having been recently honored as the Division Leading Chief Petty Officer of the Year during during a ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., in January, Scott believes a military career puts a person on the path to success.
Here, Scott discusses skills that can earn during a military career and how it changes someone’s life. –munson steed
What is valuable about a military career?
Whether a person is going to do a few years then get out to take advantage of veteran’s benefits or stay in and make a career of it, the military puts those who serve in position to advance not only their career but their life.
How did you determine your career path?
I was really intrigued by the Navy recruiter who first interviewed me by the name of Avery Vaughn and how he was so upbeat and seemed to be having so much fun doing his job. I had two weeks from the time I joined the delayed entry program until I was scheduled to ship off to basic training and I was in the recruiting station learning what I could but also observing what the recruiters did. I made my decision prior to me doing one day in the Navy that I wanted to be a career recruiter so I could help others find their way in life as I had been helped to find mine.
Describe goal setting methods you use and how you evaluate your success?
I set goals by looking at short- and long-term goals and generating plans of action and milestones to gauge whether or not I am on track to achieving those goals.
What is your message to parents regarding their child serving their country?
I would tell every parent who is considering letting their child join the military that it is the most rewarding career by far that I can think of. It will provide their child the best opportunity to grow and mature as a young adult.
What competitive skill sets can be acquired while in Navy?
The Navy has over 70 advanced career fields that break down into many job ratings. There are many skills ranging from culinary specialist to administration to nuclear engineering and everything in between. The most important skill sets I think are the leadership skills that sailors acquire as their responsibilities and rank rise. There is nothing that sailors can’t do, they are the most resourceful group of people on the planet and if there is a mission to complete, sailors will get it done.
Please explain how the Navy can change someone’s life.
The Navy in my opinion provides individuals the opportunity to write their own history. It’s truly a global force for good. It provides all the necessary tools for sailors to reach a level of personal and professional success that they imagine for themselves. The sky, or in this case, the sea is the limit, and there is a vast amount of water on this little planet for sailors to take advantage of.
Names three books that changed how you saw life that you would recommend to others.
The Bible, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The Art of War
