Sailor from Nigeria supports U.S. Navy Osprey squadron

Petty Officer 2nd Class Emmanuel Umezugha, a sailor from Anambra State, Nigeria, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30.

Umezugha graduated from Annunciation Seminary School (Amaudara, Nigeria) in 2012. Umezugha also earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations and advertising in 2018 from Eastern Mediterranean University in Northern Cyprus.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Anambra State.

“Growing up in Nigeria, discipline is a big thing in our family and so is respect for our elders and people we look up to,” said Umezugha. “That’s helped me in the Navy because it’s kind of the same thing. While I’ve been here in the Navy, I’ve seen people get mad when they’re told what to do. I’ve been taught to respect people, so it was easier for me. I also have a disciplined dad who set high standards that we followed. It’s easy for me, most people don’t like to listen or to be told they have to obey. I never took it personally.”

Umezugha joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Umezugha serves as an aviation machinist’s mate.

“I joined the Navy because, at the time, I’d just come to America and I needed some kind of stability,” said Umezugha. “I was fresh into the country and bouncing from one thing to another. A friend suggested I try the military. I moved around a lot growing up and I wanted a job that would give me some stability. I picked the Navy because I didn’t know how to swim, but I knew the Navy would teach me how to swim.”

Members of VRM 30 fly and maintain the CMV-22B Osprey, a vertical takeoff and landing tilt-rotor aircraft. VRM aircraft have increased operational range, faster cargo loading and unloading, increased survivability and enhanced communications compared to the C-2A Greyhound.

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.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Umezugha has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishment is being a mechanic,” said Umezugha. “I never had any mechanical experience in life before joining the Navy. I went to school for public relations and advertising. I joined as an undesignated sailor, which means I really didn’t have a specific job. I liked it but my recruiter at the time told me I could train around and see what I wanted to do. I had a good mentor, Petty Officer 1st Class Ury Silva, when I arrived here at my first command. Watching him and the way he worked, I developed an enjoyment for the job. Now, I’m a Navy mechanic and love every bit of it. It’s completely different than what I went to school for, but I love it.”

Umezugha serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“Coming from a family where discipline is the number one thing, in the Navy it isn’t just discipline that means a lot, it’s family,” said Umezugha. “I don’t have a lot of family here but the Navy gave me a family I never had and friends. I’m very grateful for that.”

Umezugha is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank Petty Officer 1st Class Silva for giving me a good foundation in the Navy,” added Umezugha. “He was my sponsor here at this command. He reached out to me right away and started training me for everything and mentoring me. I’ve tried to pass along what he taught me to my junior sailors. There are so many more people that I’m thankful for, every leadership I’ve been under has been great. I also want to thank my family for supporting me while I’m away from home. It’s a lot for them not to see me as often as they did in the past.”