Petty Officer 2nd Class Zephrem Tepper
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hunter Harwell, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Petty Officer 2nd Class Zephrem Tepper, a native of Oviedo, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Georgia, homeported at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. As a submariner, Tepper is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel continuing a 125-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Tepper graduated from P.J. Hagerty High School in 2016.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Oviedo.
“I had a lot of jobs before the Navy, and I learned what I wanted to do from working those jobs,” Tepper said. “I've learned how to open myself up to people and appreciate the value of knowledge that others can offer.”
Tepper joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Tepper serves as a machinist's mate.
“I joined the Navy after I got married,” Tepper said. “I needed to be able to provide stability for my wife and I to grow our family.”
———————————————————————————————
Oviedo native serves as a member of U.S. Navy’s submarine force
By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Petty Officer 2nd Class Cannon Parker, a native of Oviedo, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS West Virginia at Naval Submarine Base (NSB) Kings Bay. As a submariner, Parker is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel continuing a 125-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Parker graduated from Oviedo High School in 2020.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Oviedo.
“Growing up, I learned how to make connections,” Parker said. "This has helped me in the Navy because those connections make life easier, and some of those connections become lifelong friends."
Parker joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Parker serves as a machinist's mate.
“I was exploring different opportunities,” Parker said. "I didn't feel like college was right for me, but I felt like the Navy would give me a good start in life."
———————————————————————————————
Oviedo Native serves with Navy Medicine in Spain
By Navy Office of Community Outreach
Lt. Cmdr. Mikaela Pitcan, a native of Oviedo, serves in the U.S. Navy assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Rota, Spain. Pitcan is a 2009 graduate of Lake Howell High School.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Oviedo.
"When I played piano for theater throughout high school, I learned that no matter what happens backstage, the show goes on,” Pitcan said. “That experience taught me to not assume everyone has it all together. It has also allowed me to help my patients understand that even if it looks like other people have it more figured out than they do, it doesn't make sense to compare yourself to the production when you don't know what's going on behind the curtains."
Pitcan has served in the Navy for seven years.
"I joined the Navy through the psychology internship program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center,” Pitcan said. "I wanted to practice with a population that has historically needed access to mental health resources. My father was also in Navy Medicine, and he encouraged me to explore a career working within the Navy.”
Today, Pitcan serves as a hospital corpsman assisting health care professionals in providing medical care to Navy personnel and their families.
"As a psychologist, my job is to show up for my patients and clients," Pitcan said. "It is so important to me that I get to support the mental health of the individuals I work with, promoting environments that are conducive to psychological functioning."
According to Navy officials, NMRTC’s mission is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high-quality healthcare services and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research.
NMRTC Rota serves as a force multiplier in Navy Medicine’s strategic global medical support mission throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East while also supporting operational readiness and maintaining a strategic repository of expertise at the Naval Hospital Rota Military Treatment Facility within the Iberian Peninsula.
Navy Medicine – represented by more than 44,000 highly-trained military and civilian health care professionals – provides enduring expeditionary medical support to the warfighter on, below and above the sea and ashore.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Pitcan serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security
Pitcan has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"This year, I earned a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal,” Pitcan said. “I was also promoted to lieutenant commander."
Pitcan can take pride in serving America through military service.
"The individuals who serve the Navy make many sacrifices to support the mission," Pitcan added. "They sacrifice time with their families, a choice in where they will live and the ability to put roots down."
———————————————————————————————
Sanford native serves as a member of U.S. Navy’s submarine force
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mitch Meppelink, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Petty Officer 1st Class Marlon Kendrick, a native of Sanford, Florida, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Submarine Readiness Squadron (SRS) 36 at Naval Submarine Base (NSB) Kings Bay. As a submariner, Kendrick is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel continuing a 125-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Kendrick graduated from Lake Mary High School in 2014.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Sanford.
“My hometown taught me about community,” Kendrick said. "I wanted to integrate myself more into every community. That gave me the drive to commit to greatness rather than wait for it."
