Petty Officer 2nd Class Emily Coker, a native of Greer, is currently serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.
Among the largest warships in the world, USS Harry S. Truman weighs 100, 000 tons and is longer than three football fields at 1,092 feet. Coker joined the Navy three years ago and now serves as an information systems technician aboard the ship. She graduated from Blue Ridge High School in 2022.
“My grandfather was a Marine who served in Vietnam and he passed his military mindset to me, which helped prepare me for the environment that I now work in,” Coker said. “I joined the Navy to experience things outside of my hometown, and I’ve done that.”
According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first responders in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters.
“I’m very proud of the deployment I completed,” Coker said. “The deployment was stressful, but I feel like the people I work with helped me make it through. I’m also very proud of earning my ‘Bluenose’ qualification.”
The ‘Bluenose’ qualification refers to a maritime rite of passage for sailors who cross the Arctic Circle.
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
“Serving in the Navy means a lot to me,” Coker said. “It is a great feeling to help provide that peace of mind to the American public.”
