By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach
MILLINGTON, Tenn.-Petty Officer 1st Class Francis Afful, a native of Alexandria, Virginia, serves in the U.S. Navy assigned to Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA) at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.
Afful joined the Navy seven years ago.
“The United States gave my family a better life after migrating from Ghana, so I decided to serve as a way of showing appreciation and saying ‘thank you’ to this beautiful country,” said Afful.
Today, Afful serves as a logistics specialist responsible for operating financial accounting systems and managing inventories of repair parts and general supplies.
“As a team player, bringing people together to work as a team to get the mission accomplished on time while making sure everybody is satisfied with the process is what I like most about my job,” said Afful.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Alexandria.
“I come from a family that does not hesitate to help other people, so availing myself to serve others to excel at whatever they are doing is always my number one priority,” said Afful. “Caring about the sailors’ well-being means a lot to me, and I like being a role model to them.”
CNRMA is the regional coordinator for all shore-based naval personnel and shore activities in the Mid-Atlantic region, which encompasses 20 states, 14 installations and 50 Naval Operational Support Centers.
As the naval shore installation management headquarters, CNRMA provides coordination of base operating support functions for operating forces throughout the region in support of the fleet, fighter and family.
Afful has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest moment in the Navy was helping two petty officer second classes who had one last chance to pass the advancement exam to make E-6,” said Afful. “If they did not pass, they were getting out of the Navy because they would have reached the high-year tenure mark for E-5. With them passing the exams, they can now at least retire as petty officer first classes, which will give them a monthly paycheck for the rest of their lives so they can take care of their families.”
As Afful and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means that I can continue serving other people to reach their goals, while also achieving my own personal and professional goals,” said Afful.
“I hold a Master of Business Administration and recently got selected to attend Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island,” added Afful. “After school, I will be commissioned as a Training and Administration of the Reserve (TAR) Supply Officer. I also recently received a Presidential Volunteer Service Award (Silver Star).”
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