SAN DIEGO, Calif. (WGNS) - A Murfreesboro native is making her community proud while serving aboard a U.S. Navy dock landing ship on the West Coast.
Seaman Jessica Hamilton, a 2012 graduate of Riverdale High School, is currently assigned to the USS Germantown operating out of Naval Base San Diego.
Growing up in Rutherford County helped shape Hamilton's mindset before she entered military service two years ago.
"Growing up in a small town with a close-knit community taught me the importance of teamwork, discipline, and building strong friendships," Hamilton said. "Playing rugby reinforced those lessons by teaching me how to work together, rely on my teammates, and stay disciplined while working toward a common goal."
After high school, Hamilton played rugby for a college team based on her skills, worked in a warehouse, and took college courses. Seeking more structure, financial stability, and educational opportunities, she enlisted in the Navy, becoming the first of eight siblings to join the armed forces.
Today, Hamilton serves as a personnel specialist. Her duties include managing critical administrative operations for her fellow sailors. One of her biggest assignments involved supporting the decommissioning of a ship and handling the extensive paperwork required to transfer military personnel.
The USS Germantown is a dock landing ship designed to transport and launch amphibious craft and vehicles. The vessel features a flat well deck at the stern that floods with water, allowing smaller boats and heavy equipment to float inside or drive out during beach operations. The ship carries a crew of more than 300 sailors and can transport up to 400 Marines.
Navy officials emphasize that sailors like Hamilton play a critical role in global security and commerce. With 90% of global trade traveling by sea and undersea fiber-optic cables securing internet access, national prosperity relies heavily on service members operating around the world.
"Serving in the Navy means having pride in what I do, maintaining discipline, and continually working to better myself," Hamilton said. "The Navy has allowed me to develop new skills and grow as both a Sailor and a person."
Hamilton expressed gratitude to her mother, Vanessa Alexander, for serving as her primary support system, as well as her sister, Jenessa Hamilton, and her brother, Rakeem, for keeping her motivated to reach her goals.
