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Training Command's Newest Sailors Sworn in as American Citizens
Story Number: NNS130628-05
6/28/2013

By Lt. Jonathan Bacon and Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Richard Keillor, NATTC Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Students assigned to Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) became United States citizens during a naturalization ceremony at Pensacola's Federal courthouse June 26.

During the brief ceremony, 24 Sailors swore their allegiance to America.

A significant difference from many citizenship ceremonies that take place throughout the U.S. is that the new American citizens had already sworn allegiance to the U.S. and protect its freedom when they became United States Navy Sailors.

"Being an American citizen is not a prerequisite to join the American armed forces, but service in the American armed forces is a path to citizenship," said Capt. Jim Daniels, NATTC's commanding officer. "For these Sailors their path to citizenship brought them from many different parts of the world, and walks of life, but it culminated in their decision to join the United States Navy and become American citizens."

Several of the students expressed excitement and jubilation after the ceremony.

Airman Jean Piongarcia, originally from the Dominican Republic, is learning to become an Aviation Support Equipmentman and joined the Navy for better opportunities and the chance to become a citizen.

"I feel great now that I'm now a citizen. I'm going to look into officer programs and work to help my parents become U.S. citizens, too" Piongarcia said.

Airman Jeorzamae Ang, originally from the Philippines training to become an Aviation Machinist's Mate felt very proud and accomplished becoming a citizen.

"The first thing I'm going to do is tell my mom and dad," Ang said.

Airman Samuel Lee, originally from the United Kingdom, who is training to become an Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) felt very relieved.

"Now that I'm a citizen, I'm going to work to accomplish my goal of becoming a Navy Diver," he said.

Afterwards the students returned to the training center to continue with their training that is preparing them for the Navy's needs in the fleet.

For more than 70 years, NATTC has been delivering training and increasing readiness within the Naval Aviation Enterprise. NATTC graduates approximately 15,000 Navy and Marine students annually. The majority of the student body is comprised of enlisted personnel attending "A" schools, where they are gaining the knowledge and skills required to perform in fleet as technicians at the apprentice level.

For more information about Naval Air Technical Training Center, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/cnatt/nattc/Default.aspx.