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There is always a first. In the Navy so many firsts are spoken
about that they become test questions. Well here’s one more first,
the Navy’s first African-American, female Boatswains Mate (BM) chief
warrant officer; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Summer Levert.
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March 9, 2017 - Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) 2 Summer Levert, a
Cleveland native, poses for a photo in the well deck aboard
amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19). Levert is
the Navy's first black female CWO Bos'n, the subject matter expert
on all major seamanship functions and the maintenance of topside
gear such as; small boat operations, supervising anchoring, mooring,
and replenishment-at-sea and the operation and maintenance of the
ship's boats. The ship is deployed with the Bataan Amphibious Ready
Group to support maritime security operations and theater security
cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. (U.S.
Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brent Pyfrom)
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Levert is assigned to the amphibious transport dock ship
USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) as the ship’s Bos’n. The ship’s
Bos’n is an officer who is the subject matter expert on all
major seamanship functions and the maintenance of topside
gear such as; small boat operations, supervising anchoring,
mooring, replenishment at sea, towing, transferring of
personnel and cargo, and the operation and maintenance of
ship's boats. She is depended on by the ship’s captain to
execute major seamanship evolutions safely and maintaining
the external upkeep of the ship.
Levert, a Cleveland
native, began her military service in the Army National
Guard in 1997, and was assigned to a military police
company. After her time with the National Guard was
completed, she decided to join the Navy, and in October of
2000, become a boatswain’s mate. After making chief petty
officer in 2011, Levert wanted more from her career and set
her sights on becoming a chief warrant officer. In 2014, she
applied to the chief warrant officer program and was
selected.
“Coming up as a junior Sailor in a male
dominated field I knew there would be times I’d have to
prove to them that I deserved to be there as much as they
did,” Levert said. “There were times I felt I had something
to prove or that I wasn’t strong enough, and now by looking
at what I have accomplished thus far I realize that the only
thing to prove was that goals can be reached through hard
work and perseverance.”
When achieving success there
are always obstacles to overcome. Some obstacles are harder
than others, but Levert, an African-American woman,
continued to use her family, friends and mentors for
inspiration to get her where she is today.
“My first
inspiration was my twin sister, who was also a BM in the
Navy, but had joined before me. My second inspiration is my
mom, who was an Army nurse in the reserves, and then there
were the Bosn's that I worked for and observed throughout my
years as a BM. They were the smartest people I knew. They
taught me my job so well that I thought they read Naval
Ships’ Technical Manuals in their sleep. They were respected
everywhere they went, and I knew that it was well deserved.
That's what I wanted to be in my wildest dreams.”
According to multiple Sailors on Mesa Verde; Levert is the
Bos’n she’s looked up to throughout her career. Her
leadership echoes throughout the ship and can be seen and
heard during any boat operation; one can hear her calling
out orders and making sure Sailors comply with safety
procedures. It’s safe to say that deck department has a
female leader who knows what it takes to achieve mission and
personal success.
"Bos’n is very humble. She
believes in hard work and effort; and only desires to be
measured by her character and deed," said Lt. Alvin Weidetz
III, USS Mesa Verde’s deck department head. “Woe betides the
Sailor, junior or senior, that steps out of line or throws
safety to the wind. But at the end of every evolution, Bos’n
will count heads ensuring all are safe and sound, laud each
and everyone for their efforts and encourage their
improvements to do better."
In December of 2015, she
received a plaque of recognition for her service from her
hometown U.S. Representative, Marcia L. Fudge, which she
viewed as a great honor.
At the end of the day Levert
has made Mesa Verde and Navy history, but it’s not the past
that motivates her; it’s the Sailors’ and their futures.
“My Sailors motivate me. Not the fact that I’m the first
this or that. Through all the madness, the long days, and
feelings of wanting to give up, I always think about the
young Sailors that tell me how much they admire me, how much
they want to be like me someday. If I quit they’ll think it
is ok to quit and that’s not the message I want to send.”
By U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Brent Pyfrom
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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