Why being there matters.
That is just one of the mottos that describes the United States Navy.
Over 70 percent of our world is covered by water, and being there means having the ability to act from the sea. The Navy is uniquely positioned to be there; the world's oceans give the Navy the power to protect America's interests anywhere, any time.
For Yazoo native William Atchison, the mission behind being in the military is what matters for him and his family.
It is a challenge to be away from his wife Erica and their two young daughters, Paige and Liah, however.
“I know being deployed means I am standing watch for them so nations and radical groups that wish to destroy our nation will be kept at bay,” he said. “That makes the time away from them a little easier.”
William is the son of William and Glenae Atchison. The 26-year-old graduated from Benton Academy in 2008.
Four years later, he decided the military service was where he needed to be for his family and his future.
“I decided to join the military in 2012 to better myself for my wife and daughter, and also to provide them with a stable income and insurance,” William said.
William currently serves as an aviation structural mechanic in the Navy. And with its comes a lot of responsibilities.
“I started out working on structural and hydraulic maintenance on the F-18 Super Hornet in Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-32,” William said.
After about a year, William attended paint and final finish school. He was then temporarily assigned to the corrosion control shop.
“As a corrosion technician, I inspect the aircraft for any and all signs of corrosion, or defected paint that can lead to corrosion on the aircraft,” he said. “I also up keep the paint schemes of the 12 aircraft in the squadron including our show bird ‘AC 100.’”
William said joining the Navy was a wise decision because it gave him a more clear perspective of life. It became so much more than just a duty.
“The biggest reward I have had for my time in the service is knowing that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves,” he said. “It is amazing to work with people from every walk of life and culture you could imagine, all for the same common goal.”
William’s time in the service has also taken him far from the hills and flatlands of Yazoo County. He has traveled to Italy, Spain, Dubai and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
And all those travels to exciting and exotic lands have reminded William of his hometown, the small wonder of Yazoo.
“My time away from the small country backroads and open fields of Yazoo, Mississippi has been an eye opening experience for sure,” William said. “I have discovered how much I love the small community of Yazoo.”
William plans to attend college after his most recent deployment and pursue a degree in engineering. And, of course, he wants to make his way back to his family and Mississippi.
“The military has taught me that any goal is achievable if you push forward with a professional drive and determination,” he said. “I've been to the world's tallest building and have seen the great city of Rome. And the sites are very nice, but all of it gives me a greater appreciation for my home state, and the life out in the country that I am working toward getting back to.”
