By Kevin Tang

SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 3rd Class Annie Woods, a native of Woodland Park, serves the U.S. Navy at Assault Craft Unit One (ACU 1) operating out of San Diego, Calif.

Woods graduated from Woodland Park High School in 2012.

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

“With a little faith of love and support from those around you, you can accomplish anything,” Woods said. “My mom worked three jobs when I was little. She’s always supported me and my siblings with our dreams and what we wanted to do in life. I am religious as well, and through faith and prayer, I was able to find solutions and solve my problems while in the Navy.”

Woods joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Woods serves as a damage controlman.

“I joined for college, to travel and to serve my country,” Woods said. “My grandfather was in the Navy, and one of my uncles served in the Navy as well. I wanted to continue that for a sense of pride to serve in the armed forces.”

ACU 1 is comprised of more than 300 sailors who are responsible for 32 landing crafts. Landing craft are used to deliver vehicles, personnel and cargo from the sea to the shore. They are also used to support civilian humanitarian operations.

The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.

According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”

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.

Woods has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishment is receiving a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal from my last ship, USS Preble,” Woods said. “I decided to stay with USS Preble instead of getting out of the Navy as an undesignated seaman, and then I picked up damage controlman around two to three years into my service.”

Woods serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“Serving the Navy means continuing tradition when my grandfather and uncle joined,” Woods said. “I am proud of them for serving, and I wanted to do that, too. It gave me a sense of pride to be in the Navy. I want to better myself as a person through the Navy by getting the education I need to support me and my family.”

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

“I want to thank both my parents, Jeff and Patty Woods, for their continued support and love throughout my service and making me the person I am today, and to my husband, Kyle Jefferson, for the continued support through my hardships in the Navy,” Woods added.

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Kevin Tang is a Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West