Seaman Christian Cubbin, a native of Jacksonville, serves the U.S. Navy with Marine Expeditionary Security Group 2.
He graduated from White Oak High School in 2023, and the skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Jacksonville, he said.
“I’ve been working since I was 15, so I learned early on to commit to something and stick with it until the job is done,” Cubbin said. “This has served me well in the Navy.
“Without that work ethic, I would not be as motivated to learn my job and to learn more about myself as an individual.”
Cubbin joined the Navy one year ago, and today, serves as a quartermaster.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted stability and to better myself,” he said. “The Navy provides the opportunity for both of those things.”
Maritime Expeditionary Security Group 2, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., delivers the Navy’s front line of defense in coastal waters and ports around the globe.
Its Sailors are trained to patrol harbors, escort high-value ships, and guard maritime chokepoints where danger is most likely to appear.
Whether operating from fast patrol craft or shoreside security positions, MESG-2 Sailors work to ensure freedom of movement for the U.S. and allied forces in contested environments.
MESG-2’s mission is built on vigilance and quiet strength, so though their presence may not always make the headlines, their work underpins the safety of every operation that begins or ends at sea.
In the littorals, where a small gap in security can have outsized consequences, MESG-2 stands as a constant, capable force, committed to keeping the Navy’s lifelines secure.
The U.S. Navy is actually celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, America is a maritime nation, and for 250 years, the 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.
Cubbin has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during his military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is that I came in as an E-1 and was promoted while at boot camp to E-2,” he said.
Cubbin serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means I will have a more stable life after and a better work ethic that will, in turn, help me to better myself,” he said. “I want to go to school to get my degree in psychology and become a counselor for veterans.”
Cubbin is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents, David and Karyn, and my sisters, Kayla and Hannah, for always supporting me and letting me know everything was going to be OK,” he said. “My dad has always advocated for me, and my mom and sisters have been so encouraging.”