Petty Officer 1st Class Shawn Griffin, a native of Allentown, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 3 at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif.

Griffin graduated from Parkland High School in 2018.

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

“Growing up, I learned resiliency and a lot of toughness,” Griffin said. “My parents taught me that if you start something, you can’t quit. That has paid off during my training and job in the Navy. They also taught me loyalty, which is key to your success and mental health in the military.”

Griffin joined the Navy seven years ago.

Today, Griffin serves as a naval air crewman (helicopter).

“I joined the Navy because I had no money for college, and after talking to a recruiter, I was offered the chance to be a rescue swimmer, and I have no regrets about that decision,” Griffin said.

The “Merlins” of HSC 3 train pilots and air crewmen to fly the MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s most advanced rotary wing maritime platform.

Their missions include Airborne Mine Countermeasures, Combat Search and Rescue, Anti-Surface Warfare, Combat Logistics and Medevac.