From Carlsbad to a Navy warship: Sailor serves aboard USS Germantown

SAN DIEGO – Lt. Cmdr. Jaxon Fitch, a native of Carlsbad, New Mexico, serves in the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Germantown, a dock landing ship operating out of Naval Base San Diego.

Fitch graduated from Carlsbad High School in 2011. Additionally, Fitch earned a bachelor’s degree in forensic science from Eastern New Mexico University in 2015.

“Growing up, I learned the importance of being dedicated to your work ethic,” Fitch said. “Don’t allow yourself to put off things for tomorrow that can be done today.”

Fitch joined the Navy 10 years ago.

“I joined the Navy to pay for higher education initially,” Fitch said. “Now I have stayed in because of specific leaders I wanted to be like. Leaders who were trustworthy, honest, caring and committed.”

Today, Fitch serves as an operations officer.

Dock landing ships like Germantown transport and launch amphibious craft and vehicles with their crews and embarked personnel. The ships have a flat, open well deck in the back that fills its tank with water to let smaller boats and heavy vehicles float inside or drive out during beach operations. More than 300 sailors serve aboard Germantown, and the ship is capable of transporting an additional 400 Marines.

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. More information is available here: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/

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.

Fitch has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I am most proud of two things,” Fitch said. “First are my COVID deployments. It was a really challenging time; unless you were in the Navy deployed at that time, it’s hard to understand. It was a hard but unique experience. Secondly, I am proud of getting qualified as a navigator in the Dutch navy.”

Fitch 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, to me, means exemplifying resilience, being patient and being willing to do things outside of what’s required of you,” Fitch said.

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

“I want to thank Mrs. Frances McCoy and Capt. Robert C. Watts IV,” Fitch said. “Mrs. McCoy was a leadership business professional teacher in my high school and she got me started on my path to go to college and the Navy. Capt. Watts is my main mentor and is a former commanding officer of mine. He taught me that if the people you lead are trained well, you can trust them to do what they are supposed to do, and to give your people an adequate amount of responsibility that affords them the opportunity to succeed. I also want to thank my parents for their guidance and support.”