GULFPORT, Miss. – Susan Parnell, a native of Natchez, Mississippi, is part of Naval Oceanography ensuring the U.S. Navy maintains freedom from the ocean floor to the stars at Naval Oceanographic Office.
Sailors and civilians working throughout Naval Oceanography collect, measure, and analyze the elements of the physical environment (land, sea, air, space). They synthesize a vast array of oceanographic and meteorological data to produce forecasts and warnings in support of safety of flight and navigation.
Parnell graduated from Adams County Christian School in 1986. She graduated from Louisiana College in 1990 with a degree in biology and later earned a master’s from University of Southern Mississippi in marine science in 1995. In 2002, she earned a second master’s from University of Southern Mississippi in hydrographic science.
Parnell currently serves as a civilian at the Naval Oceanographic Office, headquartered at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.
“Naval Oceanography operates simultaneously at the strategic, operational and tactical levels of warfare in every theater around the globe,” said Rear Adm. Ron Piret, commanding officer, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. “We pride ourselves in our ability to characterize the battle space and then predict changes in the environment over time. Every ship that sails, every aircraft that takes flight, every submarine that dives beneath the surface of the ocean has to go to sea with the information that Naval Oceanography provides.”
“I want to thank my mother, Jean Moffett,” said Parnell. “There were four children in our family, and our dad died when I was 10. So, she raised us by herself for the most part. That instilled in me the importance of being able to provide for yourself. That’s why I took this path. I got my education and started my career before I started my family.”
According to Parnell, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Natchez.
“Natchez is a fairly small town with a strong sense of family and community,” said Parnell. “Heritage and pride in country is very important. This was instilled in me at a young age. We were taught to be proud of where you come from but to be humble at the same time.”
Naval Oceanography personnel demonstrate expertise in Hydrography, Geospatial Information and Services (GIS), datum issues, and Tactical Decision Aids (TDA). They combine knowledge of the operating environment with a thorough understanding of warfighting capabilities to assess and predict environmental impacts to friendly and enemy platforms, sensors and weapon systems.
Serving in the Navy means Parnell is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“We need a strong Navy to provide a global deterrent,” said Parnell. “We’re surrounded by water and need to project strength around the world. Our Navy also does a lot of good across the globe through humanitarian assistance and disaster response.”
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize the importance of accelerating America’s advantage at sea.
“Maintaining the world’s best Navy is an investment in the security and prosperity of the United States, as well as the stability of our world,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “The U.S. Navy—forward deployed and integrated with all elements of national power—deters conflict, strengthens our alliances and partnerships, and guarantees free and open access to the world’s oceans. As the United States responds to the security environment through integrated deterrence, our Navy must continue to deploy forward and campaign with a ready, capable, combat-credible fleet.”
Parnell, along with the sailors and the civilians they serve with, have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I’m most proud of my daughter,” said Parnell. “She’s just starting out in her adult life. Seeing her grow up and be independent is very rewarding.”
As Parnell and other sailors and civilians continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in keeping fellow sailors and civilians safe and serving their country in the United States Navy.
“I’ve served in government service for 27 years,” added Parnell. “My first day on the job, the person who hired me gave me a speech about the importance of what we do here so our service members can do what they need to do around the world. I’ve always remembered that. It’s the reason I continue to serve today.”
Naval Oceanography directs and oversees more than 2,500 globally-distributed military and civilian personnel who collect, process and exploit environmental information to assist Fleet and Joint Commanders in all warfare areas to make better decisions, based on assured environmental information, faster than the adversary.
– Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Comments