SAN DIEGO -- Capt. Patrick Pemberton, the son of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, residents Jim and Barbara Pemberton, serves with United States Navy Program Executive Office, Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (PEO C4I).
Pemberton graduated from Texas Academy of Math and Science in 1995. Pemberton earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Texas in 1999 and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2005.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Arkadelphia.
"One of the lessons that's always stuck with me is do the right things for the right reasons and things will work out," said Pemberton. "That's almost always been true and it's very true inside the Navy. That's a thing I've appreciated about the Navy that's always been true here but may not be true in other places."
Pemberton joined the Navy 24 years ago.
"I was in engineering school at the University of Texas and recent graduates were coming back saying, 'I made decent money and I'm happy to be an engineer, but I've spent my life making toys nobody can use,'" said Pemberton. "I went and looked at the Navy after seeing movies over the weekend. I talked to a recruiter and doing things in the Navy seemed more interesting than sitting behind a desk doing paperwork."
PEO C4I is the U.S. Navy's first line to acquire the right communication and technology tools to deliver affordable, integrated and interoperable information warfare capabilities to the fleet.
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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
"We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day," said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations. "Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs."
Pemberton has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"One of the things I'm most proud of is serving as a department head on an aircraft carrier on an around-the-world deployment, leading 230 amazing sailors and officers," said Pemberton. "Working with sailors, watching them succeed and facilitating their success, is the best part of the business. It was great for me to be on the ship but it was amazing to see our young Americans accomplish great things."
Pemberton serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
"Serving in the Navy is an amazing, fulfilling purpose," said Pemberton. "I'm sure I could find something else worthwhile, but I also can't imagine what that might be."
Pemberton is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
"I want to thank my parents, Jim and Barbara, for raising my brothers and I right, giving us the right opportunities and teaching us the right lessons for success," added Pemberton. "I also want to thank my Navy friends and family, the friends I've made in each of the towns I've lived in. They've helped me more than anything else."
Ashley Craig is a writer with the Navy Office of Community Outreach.