Parsons ‘eyes’ highest rank in the Royal Navy
Vincentian born Juma Parsons has his eyes on the highest possible rank that he can attain as a member of the Royal Navy.{{more}}
But for now, he is enjoying his current post as Leading Supply Chain Officer, and realizing his childhood dreams of travelling the world, and being a soldier.
Parsons made a surprise stop here to visit friends and family last week, as a crew member of Her Majestyâs Ship Protector, the Royal Navyâs new Ice Patrol vessel, which has been deployed to the Caribbean, after service in Antarctica.
When officers realized that the ship was passing St Vincent and the Grenadines on its way through the region, a request was made for a stop, so that Parsons, one of two Vincentians assigned to the ship, could get some shore leave.
When SEARCHLIGHT visited Parsons on board the vessel last Saturday, May 12, he expressed his delight at being back home. The last time he was here, was for the funeral of his mom, who passed away two and a half years ago.
âIâm very excited and glad to get the opportunity from the captain; I am very pleased for it. I wasnât expecting it and Iâm very pleased.â
Parsons, who was given an extra week at home, while his mates sailed off on Sunday, said that he intended to spend the days with friends and family members.
On Sunday, he enjoyed lunch with his immediate family on board the ship, and then treated them to a tour of the vessel.
He was scheduled to leave here today Friday, to join them in Antigua, on their way to Montserrat.
In 2003, the Green Hill resident joined the Royal Navy, through the now defunct regional recruitment program, driven by his desire to try something new and to travel the world.
Parsons informed Searchlight that since then, he had been promoted up the ladder, and hopes to move further up, although he is comfortable at his current rank.
âIâm looking at the highest rank I can get,â he said.
âIâm one of the few Vincentians to get promoted.
âI do enjoy my job; Iâm responsible for getting whatever the ship requests and to get that stuff out wherever the ship is.
âIt can be hard work at times; there is the physical part of it; to me thatâs physical training⦠but it is a lot of paperwork and it can be hectic.â
The hardest part of being in the military, he admitted, was actually being away from his friends and family.
At 36, Parsons says he plans to spend as long as possible, which could be the next 22 years, in the Navy. He said that he hopes to see some action on the front lines, and had even volunteered for duty in Afghanistan.
The married father of a four-year-old daughter used the opportunity to urge young Vincentians to make the best of their youth, and called for greater discipline to be instilled from the first institution, the family.
âThatâs the way I grew up; it all started at home. I think that the parents should be sterner with them. But they are looking at certain things on TV and try to adopt it.â
He was lauded by fellow officers, including First Lieutenant Phil Payne, for his hard work, dedication and discipline, since he joined the crew in July last year.
The other Vincentian crew member, Leading Engineering Technician Denroy Cole was not present at the time. He was back in the United Kingdom on leave.(JJ)
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