VALDOSTA – Valdosta native, Joshua Amiot, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center.

Release:

Petty Officer 1st Class Joshua Amiot, a native of Valdosta, Georgia, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, the largest diving facility in the world.

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

“Growing up in Valdosta, I learned how to work hard in hot weather,” said Amiot. “I was raised in construction, so I’ve built houses all my life. As a Navy diver we’re either working in really hot weather or really cold weather.”

Amiot joined the Navy 11 years ago. Today, Amiot serves as a Navy Diver Instructor.

“I joined the Navy to serve our country so others wouldn’t have to,” said Amiot. “My brother-in-law, Steven Fortin, is in the Air Force. He and his friend, Rick Turner, who was also in the Air Force, were both big influences on my decision to join.”

More than 1,200 students from the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard train at Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center each year. These students include candidates for submarine SCUBA, U.S. Navy deep sea divers, Seabee underwater construction divers, joint service diving officers and explosive ordnance disposal officers.

Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center houses 23 certified diver life support systems, which include two diving simulation facilities capable of pressing divers to a depth of 300 feet, an aquatics training facility with the second largest pool in the U.S., a submarine lock-out trunk that holds nearly one million gallons of water and two 133-foot Yard Diving Tenders for open ocean diving support.

“Having a cadre of instructors who have immense knowledge and operational experience, ensures we deliver the best trained, qualified, and most professional divers to the military fleet and force, all while ensuring our communities are ready for major combat operations,” said Cmdr. Troy Lawson, commander, Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center.

Serving in the Navy means Amiot is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“We need a strong Navy because ships win wars,” said Amiot. “Without ships and submarines patrolling the seas, we’d be a lot more vulnerable to attack.”

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 trained sailors and a strong Navy.

Amiot has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishment so far in the Navy is serving more than 11 years with good conduct and for the accommodations earned during operations around the world,” said Amiot.

As Amiot and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.

“Serving in the Navy means that I get to serve our nation to defend those who may not be able to defend themselves,” said Amiot.

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

“I want to thank all my family for their support and guidance that got me here,” added Amiot.