In a recent display of military recognition, PRAN Kimaya D. Lee Smith was named the Fleet Readiness Center Reserve Mid-West Detachment Fort Worth Blue Jacket of the Third Quarter FY 2024. According to a social media post by NAS JRB Fort Worth, the Texas native was selected for her dedication and performance as a Parachute Rigger.
Lee Smith, who hails from a military family, joined the Navy in October 2022 as a tribute to her father, who served in the Army. Hoping to convey gratitude that often seems to escape veterans, she expressed that this accolade was her way of saying thanks. "She feels like she owes it to him," NAS JRB Fort Worth said, delineating a service forged in the fire of familial loyalty. In her role, Lee Smith is tasked with crucial inspections and maintenance on Aircrew Life Support Systems (ALSS) gear.
Having honed her skills in Pensacola, Florida, Lee Smith is currently undertaking her first military tour and has her sights set on a long-term naval career with aspirations to one day become a Recruit Division Commander (RDC). The honor of the award came as a shock to her; Lee Smith did not immediately realize the impact of her contributions within her command. "She was shocked and didn’t realize that what she does in her command makes a difference," the post from NAS JRB Fort Worth's Facebook page relayed.
