By Ashley Craig, Navy Office of Community Outreach
San Diego, CA – Petty Officer 1st Class Mercedes Finley, a native of Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina, is currently serving in the U.S. Navy assigned to Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific.
Finley, a graduate of Strom Thurmond High School in 2009, has been in the Navy for 15 years, serving as an aviation maintenance administration man. She joined the Navy to provide a better life for her daughter, and her journey has been both challenging and rewarding.
Working at NIWC Pacific, which consists of over 5,200 scientists, researchers, engineers, technicians, and personnel, Finley contributes to the development and deployment of technologies supporting warfighters across various domains.
Reflecting on her Navy career, Finley sees it as a significant accomplishment to have served for 15 years, during which she has had the opportunity to visit countries she never imagined and learn from diverse cultures and backgrounds. She values the chance to represent not only her state but also the country as one of the faces of the Navy.
Finley expresses gratitude to those who have supported her throughout her military career, including her close friend Petty Officer 1st Class Nyeema Thompson, and her family, especially her mother, Jennifer Gantt, and her children.
She acknowledges the transformative impact of her military service, stating, “I’ve truly been blessed to be part of the military. It has opened my eyes to another world for my children and given me opportunities that I wouldn’t have had before. I’m just so blessed and thankful.”
The U.S. Navy emphasizes the importance of recruiting and retaining talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, recognizing that the nation’s prosperity and security are directly linked to the strength and diversity of its forces.
