Local People

Last Updated on Friday, 05 March 2021 14:19

By Stephanie Fox, Navy Office of Community Outreach

ROTA, Spain - A Whitaker, Pennsylvania, native is serving aboard USS Ross, a U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Scripp is a 2016 West Mifflin High School graduate.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Scripp is a 2016 West Mifflin High School graduate. Today, Scripp serves as a hospital corpsman.

“A hospital corpsman is a jack of all trades, but a master of none,” Scripp said. “We specialize in learning all parts of the medical field, to better serve the operational capacity of our deployed forces.”

Scripp joined the Navy three years ago to make a difference.

“I want to make a name for myself, my hometown, and most importantly, my family's last name,” said Scripp. “I've always told people Pittsburgh is the greatest city there is, and I work every day to prove that.”

According to Scripp, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found Whitaker.

“I learned the importance of grit, work ethic, community service and humility,” said Scripp. “Growing up in Whitaker, we were a very small town bordered by much bigger towns. We took pride in that, and I'm not ashamed of saying that's where I grew up. Also, having the opportunity to join my local Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program in high school helped teach me the life lessons outside of the education system.”

According to Navy officials, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers are highly-capable, multi-mission ships that conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence to national security.

“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”

Though there are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community and careers, Scripp has enjoyed traveling the most.

“I’ve had the opportunity to travel to different countries and parts of the world,” said Scripp. “Being in the Arctic Circle during winter is a whole new level of cold that I am happy I got to experience.”

“Our sailors remain the true source of our naval power,” said Gilday. “Mission one for every sailor remains a ready Navy, a Navy ready to compete today and a Navy ready to compete tomorrow. Together we will deliver the naval power the nation needs.”

As a member of the U.S. Navy, Scripp, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a tradition providing the Navy the nation needs.

“To me, serving the Navy means patriotism, pridefulness and loyalty,” added Scripp. “I am extremely proud to wear this uniform every day, and I am extremely proud to be a part of the naval forces protecting our waters.”