San Antonio native serves aboard Navy warship in Virginia

Ajah graduated from Federal Government College in 2021.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in San Antonio.

“I learned to never bite the finger that feeds you,” Ajah said. “I am able to apply that to all aspects of my life.”

Ajah joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Ajah serves as a machinist’s mate.

“I joined the Navy to go into a different trade than most of my family,” Ajah said. “I’m the first in my family to join the military.”

This October marks 25 years since the deadly terrorist attack on Cole while the ship was refueling in Yemen. The explosion, carried out by two al-Qaida suicide bombers, killed 17 sailors, wounded 37 more and blew a 40-foot-wide hole in the side of the ship. The crew worked tirelessly for more than 96 hours to free their shipmates trapped by the blast, limit flooding that threatened to sink the ship and address other issues that could have led to catastrophic fires that would have cost the lives of more sailors.

The ship, nicknamed the “Determined Warrior,” returned to the fleet in April 2002 after 14 months of repairs and has served on numerous deployments since, including most recently in 2024, spending seven months in the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Gulf providing deterrence and defense to U.S. allies and partners.

Cole is a Navy destroyer, a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with Tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a Phalanx close-in weapons system.

More than 300 sailors serve aboard Cole. Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry, along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.

The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.

According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Ajah has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I am most proud of being the first in my family to serve,” Ajah said. “It helped show my siblings that you can do anything.”

Ajah serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“Serving in the Navy means everything to me,” Ajah said. “It’s expanded my way of thinking. I’ve met more people and gotten the opportunity to travel.”

Ajah is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I’d like to thank my parents and my girlfriend,” Ajah added. “I’d also like to thank my family as a whole.”

Ajah is working to accomplish the goals they’ve set for their future.

“My long-term goal is to help bring my family here from Nigeria so they can have a better life,” Ajah said.