NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Though the U.S. Navy is struggling to find new recruits, shy of meeting its 2023 recruitment goal by about 20%, crew members are still keeping the ships going.
On board USS Bainbridge, 10 On Your Side met with two young recruits who joined the Navy from other continents within the past two years. This included Tiffany Gittens, a firefighter who came to the states from French Guiana. She joined the Navy after her grandmother passed away.
“I joined basically to live up to her honor and make her proud,” Gittens said.
She is working her way to becoming an officer, hoping to someday major in business and psychology. Her time on board has her below deck, running some of the many machines that keep the Bainbridge going.
“Operating new equipment, stuff that I have not seen online before, it’s been really cool,” Gittens said.
One of her fellow sailors is engineer and firefighter Tetiana Sheinich, who is coming to the U.S. from Ukraine.
“I got here in December of 2022, and a couple days later, I joined the Navy,” Sheinich said.
Sheinich’s grandfather was in the military back home, and her great grandfather served as an admiral in the U.S. Navy. On top of carrying on a family legacy, Sheinich is honing in her machinery skills.
“I always wanted to be a mechanic,” Sheinich explained. “So now, the Navy gave me the opportunity to do that. I’m a technician on the engine and I love my job.”
While it did take some time adapting to a new home, both said they do not regret joining. They have spent about a year on the ship. The two shared this advice for any recruits coming from another country.
“You just have to be strong, have a strong mentality, and if you have tough days, you have to remember that tomorrow is going to be a new day, and it’s going to be better than it was yesterday,” Sheinich said.
As for Gittens, “You just have to be strong, follow your rules and make great choices.”
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