By Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Petty Officer 1st Class Nicholas Clarke, a native of Mercer Island, serves aboard a U.S. Navy warship operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.

Clarke attended Mercer Island High School and graduated in 2011.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Mercer Island.

“I learned growing up that if you invest in the community, the community invests in you,” said Clarke. “When you invest in something and want it to get better, it gives you better returns. If you don’t care about where you are, you aren’t going to get rewarded.”

Clarke joined the Navy 11 years ago.

Today, Clarke serves as an information systems technician aboard USS Kearsarge.

“I was inspired to join the Navy by my dad who was in the Air Force,” said Clarke.

Kearsarge’s crew is made up of approximately 1,200 crewmembers and can accommodate up to 1,800 Marines. Amphibious assault ships transfer Marines, equipment and supplies, and can support helicopters or other aircraft. Kearsarge is the third ship in the Wasp class of multipurpose amphibious assault ships and is the fourth Navy vessel to bear the name of Mount Kearsarge in New Hampshire.

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 trained sailors and a strong Navy.

Clarke and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“I am most proud of being a part of the Mission 15-1LA for Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and bringing back remains of American service members from the Vietnam War to be laid to rest in the United States,” said Clarke. “That really sunk the ideal of ‘Lost but not forgotten in me’ and it has shaped me ever since.”

As Clarke and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“In any other job, failing to perform means getting fired,” said Clarke. “In the Navy, it means new things to learn, practice, master and teach. Passing the torch of knowledge to new generations and watching them apply new techniques allows you to constantly adapt and better yourself.”

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

“I want to thank my daughter, Revan Clarke, for giving me the empathy I need to help others succeed,” said Clarke. “I also want to thank my wife, Kalisha, for enabling my career. She gave me a reason to get the joy out of the little things. Lastly, I want to thank all of the sailors I’ve met who have helped me in some way and influenced me to become who I am today.”

Clarke offers words of advice to those looking for a career in the military.

“Any upbringing, ethnicity, gender and race are all equal when you are in the military,” added Clarke. “No matter the disadvantages life leaves at your doorstep, the military makes everyone equal and gives a chance for incredible work ethic and determination to shine.”