Operations Specialist Seaman Coshonna Allison, from Detroit, followed in the footsteps of her great-grandfather, grandfather and uncle, cementing a four-generation family legacy of naval service.

Allison's late great-grandfather served aboard the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Independence (CVL 22), which operated in the Pacific during World War II. Her grandfather, Jack Allison, from Detroit, served on board the Navy's first boomer, decommissioned fleet ballistic-missile submarine USS George Washington (SSBN 598), in 1968. Her uncle, Jeff Allison, served as a machinist's mate aboard the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) in 2000 and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in 2010.

In August 2014, Allison graduated from Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois, and began "A" school. In December 2014, after her successful completion of operations specialist "A" school, Allison reported aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73).

"My predecessors are the reason I decided to join the Navy," she said. "At first, I was very resistant and against the whole idea of joining, but my uncle sat me down and talked me into it. Both my uncle and grandfather are excited that I joined. They are reliving their Navy days vicariously through me. A lot of my family has served in the military before me, but I am the first female to enlist. My family holds very high expectations for me throughout my naval career."

Uncle Jeff said he was honored to see his niece carry out their family's tradition by raising her right hand and joining the Navy. He added that he feels proud because he understands where she is and what trials she had to endure to get there.

"I loved being in the Navy," said Jeff Allison. "There wasn't a single day of serving that I did not enjoy. I learned a lot about myself, the world and history. My time on board Kitty Hawk and George Washington were the greatest years of my life. I hope Coshonna has the same positive experience."

Grandpa Jack also expressed pride that his granddaughter made the decision to join the Navy. He said he is delighted that she is continuing their family's pround tradition of naval service.

After completing her tour aboard Washington, Allison will continue her naval career aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, will conduct a hull swap with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), after serving seven years as the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Yokosuka, Japan.

For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit www.navy.mil/ .