NSA Naples’ Sailor Lives Out Father’s Dreams by Becoming Mustang Officer

NAPLES, Italy - Family has always been an important factor to Master-at-Arms Chief Petty Officer Megan Low assigned to Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples. Her naval career began as an effort to continue the legacy of her grandfather and uncle, who previously served in the U.S. Navy as a gunner’s mate and an electronics technician respectively.

“I joined when I was 18 years old because I knew I was the only one in my [family’s] generation that would do it,” said Low.

After 14 years of continuing her family’s legacy through service, Low is living out her dad’s dreams for her as she receives a commission through the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) program during a ceremony onboard NSA Naples’ Capodichino on July 29, 2022.

Low says her father’s death in 2016 was what really pushed her to apply to the program.

“He really wanted me to be an officer. […] He always used to ask me when I am going to become an officer,” said Low.

“This was for him,” she said as she described him as someone that believed in her.

In addition to her father’s desires, Low’s motivation was also influenced by the desire to overcome the challenges of being a female in a male-dominated rate.

“I felt like I had to prove myself a little more and show that I could keep up with the males,” said Low.

Throughout her career, the mustang officer notes she did not have a female mentor or leader to push her towards leadership in the U.S. Navy.

“I strive to be that leader for someone else,” said Low.

Low has done just that during her time in Naples.

“She has shown that even though women are presented with challenges, that it doesn’t give us an excuse, it gives us more of a push to achieve what we want,” said her protégé, Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Raedyn Robinius.

Low currently serves as a section chief for NSA Naples’ Security.

“Chief Low has been one of the best chiefs I’ve ever had the pleasure to work for. She was always on top of anything our section needed, she stood up and fought for us no matter what the case was, and helped everyone do whatever possible to succeed. As the LPO for the section she would push me to be better. She pushed me to study and learn to be the best leader possible and figure everything out on my own and if I couldn’t she would then show me,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Ryan Morehouse.

NSA Naples’ Security Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Alexander Lamis, spoke to her performance throughout his time as her security officer.

“Ensign Low is a proven leader as a Section Chief, Physical Security Officer, and Command Fitness Leader. She successfully led Sailors and civilians plus the critical core programs in Security,” said Lamis.

Because of her leadership and work throughout her career and her time and NSA Naples, Low has made her father’s dream come true.

NSA Naples is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed, when they are needed to ensure security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.