By Megan Brown
Navy Office of Community Outreach
James Green)
BOSTON – Petty Officer 2nd Class Michelle Heintzelman, a native of Grand Rapids, is one of nearly 80 sailors celebrating America’s 246 years of independence while serving aboard USS Constitution.
Heintzelman, a 2005 Caledonia High School graduate, joined the Navy eight years ago.
Today Heintzelman serves as an electronics technician.
“I joined the Navy to gain more skills and technical experience,” said Heintzelman.
Skills and values similar to those found in Grand Rapids are important to succeed in the military.
“I learned in my hometown to take changes in stride and to always try to make things better,” said Heintzelman. “I also learned to always look forward and to never look behind.”
USS Constitution is the U.S. Navy’s oldest commissioned warship, and the crew is hand-picked to promote naval history and maritime heritage while raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence.
The ship earned the nickname Old Ironsides during the War of 1812 after British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull. USS Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured or destroyed 33 enemy vessels.
With 90 percent 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.
“Our mission remains timeless – to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”
As a member of the Navy, Heintzelman is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is important to national defense because we need to protect international trade and project force abroad,” said Heintzelman. “Without that power projection and strategic deterrence, our adversaries would take hostile actions against us.”
As Heintzelman and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means supporting everything the country stands,” said Heintzelman. “I get to see things most Americans don’t even know about. I’ve learned to appreciate the importance of the Navy and the missions we perform because I have a hand in them.”
Heintzelman is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom, Carol, and my dad, Al, for setting me up and giving me the values I have,” added Heintzelman. “I also want to thank the mentors I had in the Navy for encouraging me to always be better and grow in my career. Without them teaching me, I wouldn’t have anything to pass on to junior sailors.”
