Sailor in the Spotlight

There are many different commands that call Naval Air Station Sigonella home. One of them is Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Sicily. NCTS Sicily is strategically positioned to provide mission critical communications support to U.S., NATO, and coalition forces operating in the AFRICOM, CENTCOM, and EUCOM area of operations.

Mann has a typical Navy start to his day with Admin quarters, where they plan out the day’s work and hit the ground running. He and two others are in charge of the administration work for the command. Mann deals the command’s transactions such as pay and personnel, along with permanent change of station travel. He also helps service members that are separating and retiring.

Although he has recently passed on his collateral duties in anticipation of moving, Mann served as the NFAAS coordinator and as an assistant section leader. He also was the vice president of the command’s MWR and a member of the Second Class Petty Officer Association.

Mann has been in the Navy for six years now. NCTS Sicily is his second command, and his first was at Strike Fighter Squadron 143 (VFA-143) out of Oceana, Virginia.

For many, the food and the easy travel opportunities are their favorite parts of living in Sicily. For Mann, his favorite is the Sicilian culture.

“It’s just the Sicilian way, nothing is more important to them than friends and family and just being together,” said Mann.

Mann recalled one occasion in particular when he first got here and was out to eat. He and his friends didn’t have Euros on hand and the owner told them to just pay another day, the important thing was that they had food in their stomachs.

During his time here, Mann finished his associate’s degree in computer studies and is currently working on his bachelor’s degree in cyber security and networking. Although he is transitioning to the reserves, he hasn’t yet decided if, once he has completed his degree, whether he wants to be a full-time civilian or continue his military service as an officer. For now, he is keeping all doors open and opportunities on the table for the future.