Karah Moreland, a Phoenix native, comes from a long line of military service. Her November 2020 entrance into the Navy marks the fourth generation of Moreland family members to have served in the U.S. military. 

After graduating as a junior in 2020 from Mountain Point High School, Moreland decided she wanted to join the Navy as an Information System Technician to learn new skills outside of a traditional school setting.

“I’ve never done anything related to computers, so I thought learning how to fix computers on ships would be interesting,” Moreland said. “I haven’t started my IT training yet, but I’ve had the opportunity to learn a lot about Navy life.”

Moreland  is no stranger to the military. Her paternal great-grandfather served as an Army aircraft mechanic, her paternal grandfather served in the Navy during World War II, her maternal grandfather served in the Army, her parents met during their eight years of service in the Army, and she has a slew of uncles and cousins who have or are serving in the Navy. 

“I’ve had a lot of family members in the military, but I’m not exactly sure what they did,” said Moreland. “I’m excited to learn about that — the experience of being in the military.”

Moreland will have the chance to learn this while based at Naval Air Station Pensacola Corry Station in Escambia County, Florida. NAS is home to Naval Aviation Schools, Naval Education Training Command Headquarters and the Blue Angels. Known as the “Cradle of Naval Aviation,” NAS Pensacola serves as the launching point for the flight training of every naval aviator, naval flight officer, and enlisted aircrew member.

With more than 90% of all trade traveling by sea, and 95% of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

Though there are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community and careers, Moreland is most proud of being selected for a leadership role during Boot Camp.

“At Boot Camp I was Medical Yeoman,” said Moreland. “That put me in a leadership position working closely with the RDCs (Recruit Division Commanders) to make sure all the paperwork was squared away, and that people’s appointments were lined up. So, that was nice being in a leadership position while still being a recruit.”

Moreland’s parents were proud of her decision to follow in their military footsteps by joining the Navy long before she was selected as Medical Yeoman.

“My father was in the Navy, so I’m just really super proud of her,” said Moreland’s father, Will Moreland. “Karah graduated high school a year early and we had a family discussion about what her next steps were going to be. She came up with this idea to join the Navy all by herself, and her mother and I were from the beginning 100% behind her. For me, my military service widened my perspective of what it meant to be a global citizen. I met so many people from the United States and around the world during my time serving. Inside the military I learned about leadership and personal development.”