Student Veteran of the Month

“The Navy gave me a chance to get out and explore the world and myself before I attended college,” says Dezmond Mayfield.

By Jim Wydra — jwydra3@uic.edu

Dezmond Mayfield wanted to explore the world through the military after high school.

“Glad to say I was not disappointed — the Navy gave me a chance to get out and explore the world and myself before I attended college,” Mayfield said.

Mayfield served in the U.S. Navy from 2008 to 2013 as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class.

Mayfield served in the U.S. Navy from 2008 to 2013.

His duties included operating, maintaining and performing organizational maintenance on aviation fueling and lubricating oil systems on aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, and observing and enforcing handling safety precautions and maintaining fuel quality surveillance and control in aviation fuel systems. He also supervised the operation and servicing of fuel farms and equipment and trained and directed fire-fighting crews, fire rescue teams, and damage control parties in fuel and lubricating oil spaces.

Mayfield received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal twice during his service.

Mayfield is a senior in history with a minor in economics.

“I like the resources accessible for researching through UIC,” he said. “History coursework has really pushed me to reconsider how I use sources within the university, as well as in my day to day.”

After graduation, Mayfield plans to attend graduate school.

“Ideally, I’d like to see myself working within a labor union,”
he said.

“I’m interested in positions as a researcher, an organizer, a field representative, or in some legislative capacity.”