SASEBO, Japan - Petty Officer 2nd Class Adokor Thedison a native of Riverside, New Jersey, serves in Japan aboard a U.S. Navy warship.
Thedison attended Riverside High School and graduated in 2017.
Thedison joined the Navy five years ago.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to get more life experience,” said Thedison. "I joined after one year of college because I didn’t know what career field I wanted to pursue. Serving in the Navy so far has given me a better idea of what type of career I would like to have."
Today, Thedison serves as an intelligence specialist aboard USS America.
Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Riverside.
“The lessons I learned from my hometown is to work hard and never give up,” said Thedison.
USS America is an amphibious warship. These types of ships embark, transport and land U.S. Marines for a variety of warfare missions. Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice, according to Navy officials.
As a member of the Navy, Thedison is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy contributes to the national defense by acting as a show of force deterring potential adversaries,” said Thedison.
Thedison serves in Japan as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.
“As the largest force in our nation’s front line against revisionist actors, U.S. Pacific Fleet meets this great responsibility with strength, resolve and confidence," said Adm. Samuel Paparo, U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander. "Together with our joint and combined partner operations, we are positioned to defend - across all domains - any attempts to threaten our nation, our allies and partner’s security, freedom and well-being."
Thedison and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is earning qualifications as an intelligence specialist,” said Thedison.
As Thedison and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy gives me a chance to learn a lot about myself and about life,” said Thedison. "It has been the best decision of my life so far."
Thedison is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mom, Patricia Codjoe,” added Thedison. "I would also like to thank my stepfather, Ismail Okang, and my sister, Adoley Thedsion."