Thanks to the U.S. Navy’s Community Outreach Office for alerting us about Oak Park and River Forest High School alum Justin Atkins’s recent assignment aboard the U.S.S. Somerset. Atkins, a 3rd class petty officer, is a culinary specialist aboard the San Diego-based ship.
Atkins says, “I joined the Navy to travel and see the world, just like my father, who was also in the Navy. I wanted to be out of the house and doing something else. The Navy was the perfect opportunity for me. I plan on submitting a package to become an officer, as well as complete my bachelor’s degree in media communications.”
According to the outreach office, Adkins was top of his culinary class, advancing to 3rd class petty officer in just nine months of joining the Navy via an accelerated petty officer program. Atkins is a 2012 OPRF grad.