Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class Petty Officer Mitchell Hovland has been in the Navy for eight years. He’s served at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility Everett Detachment for over two years.
Briefly describe your job
I am a structural and pipe welder, as well as a sheet metal fabricator and brazier, repairing six guided missile destroyers or DDGs homeported at Naval Station Everett, Wash.
What gives you pride about the job you do and being in the Navy?
I enjoy the accomplishment of completing an extensive job, knowing the ship can now go underway with a fully operational system. I helped complete a job on USS Shoup (DDG 86) just two days before they left on deployment.
Knowing that I can stand behind the work I do and trust that it will not fail—due to my repairs. I have the talent and capabilities to do the kind of repair the ship needs.
What has been a memorable moment about your job at the detachment?
Being the first Sailor to achieve the gauge line weld qualifications for PSNS & IMF.