SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Savannah native is promoted while serving with the U.S. Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO).

Fourteen years ago, Erick Lamar Badger joined the Navy as an undesignated deck seaman. Today, he serves as public affairs officer and event planner for NAVCO in Millington, Tenn. and has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant junior grade.

Badger comes from a family of military service members, so he always knew that he would end up serving in the military.

Badger believes there are infinite possibilities for growth and offered advice to children and teens in Savannah:

“You can be more than what your surroundings allow you to be,” Badger said. “Don’t get caught up in what’s going on in your hometown, think of your future. Trust your gut and believe in yourself. Go after everything. If you fail, it’s OK. Just get up, brush off your shoulders and keep going. You can be anyone you want to be as long as you try, but you have to try first.”

Badger attended Sol C. Johnson High School in Thunderbolt.