A Pella native is currently serving with the U.S. Navy as a civil engineer corps (CEC) officer, overseeing construction projects that support the Navy’s high-tech fleet of ships, aircraft, equipment and personnel around the world.

Ensign Jon Verhoef completed the Civil Engineer Corps Basic Qualification Course at the Naval Civil Engineer Corps Officers School earlier this month. Graduation from the course is a requirement for new U.S. Navy CEC officers before they go on to their initial assignments for Navy and Marine Corps projects, including facilities management, administration, contract management, public works, and specialized military roles such as construction battalions.

“During our field training exercise, my team was always having a good time even though the situations may not have been that pleasant. We always kept on going,” said Verhoef. “Sometimes you just have to believe in something because the more you put your effort into it and the more fun you have with it, the better off you will be.”

Verhoef obtained a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University.

“The saying ‘with compassion for others, we build, we fight, for peace with freedom,’ emphasizes why we do what we do. We build for those who do not have and we fight for those who cannot gain,” said Verhoef. “I joined the Navy to help achieve that goal.”

Verhoef is heading to Commander Fleet Activities in Okinawa, Japan, and will serve as assistant public works officer. He is the son of Harry and Linda Verhoef