Petty Officer 3rd Class Timothy Pitonyak
NORFOLK, Va. – Petty Officer 3rd Class Timothy Pitonyak, a native of Brandywine, Maryland, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Harry S. Truman, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.
Pitonyak graduated from North Point High School in 2011.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Brandywine.
“I learned early on that hard work, dedication and willpower to be a better person than you were the day before are keys to success, and they have translated well into the Navy,” Pitonyak said.
Pitomyak joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Pitonyak serves as an aviation ordnanceman.
“I joined the Navy to serve a greater purpose for my country, to explore other areas of the world and to feel a sense of accomplishment,” Pitonyak said. “It is also my chance to give back to the people who believe in me.”
Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.
Among the largest warships in the world, USS Harry S. Truman is longer than three football fields at 1,092 feet. The ship is 252 feet wide and weighs more than 100,000 tons. More than 5,000 sailors serve aboard these self-contained mobile airports.
According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and combat capability of its air wing.
Pitonyak has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is picking up E-5 orders on the first try,” Pitonyak said. “I’m also proud of completing the last deployment and picking up the Combat Action Ribbon, as well as Blue Jacket of the Year in 2025.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
“Serving in the Navy fills me with a great sense of pride,” Pitonyak said. “It says I’ve done something that not everyone can do. The Navy has given me discipline and a greater outlook on the world and people around me.”
Pitonyak is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents, Rick and Patricia, for believing in me and telling me that it’s never too late to start anything new,” Pitonyak said. “They gave me the push, and they give me the encouragement to be better every day. I also want to thank my brother, Richard, for always encouraging me and making sure that we stay in touch on a daily basis.”
As for his Navy future, Pitonyak knows exactly where he wants it to go.
“I plan on serving 20 years in the Navy, and hopefully I will become a chief petty officer,” Pitonyak said. “I also want to travel more and hopefully retire with full honors.”
