Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Lipe, a native of Mineola, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Navy Recruiting Orientation Unit in Pensacola, Fla.

Lipe graduated from Mineola High School in 2012.

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

“I worked in an auto-mechanic shop growing up and that’s where I first started welding,” said Lipe. “That gave me the foundation for what I am doing now in the Navy and it made the transition easier.”

Lipe joined the Navy 10 years ago. Today, Lipe serves as a Navy recruiter.

“I joined the Navy originally for the educational opportunities,” said Lipe. “However, I decided to make a career out of it because I like the people and the opportunities to travel.”

Navy Recruiting Orientation Unit is the Navy’s sole recruiting schoolhouse responsible for the instruction in professional sales, prospecting techniques, marketing and leadership. Students attending basic recruiting courses receive a good dose of public speaking classes to develop communications skills that will help them not just in recruiting but throughout their Navy careers. Students must demonstrate what they learn in the classroom with prepared speeches and perform in a simulated sales environment, where they must help an applicant make an informed, mutually beneficial decision to join the Navy.

“Students at Navy Recruiting Orientation Unit will shape the future of the Navy,” said Capt. Robert Stockton, Navy Recruiting Orientation Unit officer in charge. “The skills and attitudes these sailors develop at the schoolhouse not only have a positive influence on our recruiting force but prepare them to succeed both personally and professionally.”

The school emphasizes the importance of focusing on the needs of prospects, facilitating an open exchange of information, and ensuring mutual understanding and agreement throughout the recruiting process. These steps are critical to ensuring that prospective applicants fully understand what naval service entails and that the Navy receives highly motivated and committed officers and enlisted sailors to serve.

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.

Serving in the Navy means Lipe 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.

“The Navy contributes to national defense by being a show of force,” said Lipe. “The show of force is important because it keeps adversaries from taking action against our country.”

Lipe has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I am most proud of mentoring junior sailors,” said Lipe. “Seeing them succeed and knowing that when I leave they can carry on the job is something I am proud of.”

As Lipe 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 has bettered me in all aspects,” said Lipe.

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

“I want to thank my wife, Morgan, for being there for me and supporting me through everything,” added Lipe.

Story by By Megan Brown, photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Patricia Elkins, Navy Office of Community Outreach