Petty Officer 2nd Class Hunter Sparks, of Bargersville, currently serves with Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport as a master-at-arms.
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Derek Harkins
By Ashley Craig, Navy Office of Community Outreach
GULFPORT, Miss. — Since 1942, sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Construction Force have been building and fighting around the world. Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport, located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, is home to the Atlantic Fleet “Seabees” (a play on the C and B initials).
Petty Officer 2nd Class Hunter Sparks, a native of Bargersville, currently serves with NCBC Gulfport as a master-at-arms serving with more than 10,000 service members, civilian personnel, veterans and family members associated with the installation.
Whether serving in the construction force or in a supporting role, the sailors of NCBC Gulfport personify the “Can-Do” motto of Seabees and are ready to deploy and serve globally.
Sparks is a member of the NCBC Gulfport’s Navy Security Force (NSF). NSF processes more than 1 million access control transactions and conducts more than 50 security drills each year to keep the installation’s personnel and families safe.
Sparks graduated from Center Grove High School in 2015.
Sparks joined the Navy nine years ago.
“I came from a family with a lot of military and veterans so I’ve always wanted to join,” said Sparks. “My dad was in the Army and he encouraged me to look at the Navy. My tattoos disqualified me from the Marine Corps so I started looking at the Navy and it seemed like something I wanted to do.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Bargersville.
“Growing up, I learned that hard work, being polite and having integrity are the best tools to get you anywhere in life,” said Sparks. “Those skills help you build good working relationships and a rapport with those around you and help you stand out among your peers.”
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.
Sparks serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Sparks has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud of cross-rating to master-at-arms from a damage controlman,” said Sparks. “I am also proud of being selected to work with military working dogs.”
Sparks can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy is a great way to provide for my family while also getting to travel,” said Sparks.
Sparks is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents for always supporting me,” added Sparks.
