Chief Petty Officer Patrick Thompson, a native of Barnegat Township, serves the U.S. Navy at Assault Craft Unit One, operating out of San Diego, Calif.

Thompson, a 2005 Southern Regional High School graduate, joined the Navy 14 years ago.

“I needed a change in my life as well as stability,” he said. “The Navy allowed me to achieve both of those, as well as serving my country and starting a career.”

He said skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those he learned growing up in Barnegat.

“I come from a family where good work ethic was instilled from a very young age,” said Thompson.