Tackling challenges leads to rewarding military career

Jelon Peavy | ’15 B.A. Liberal Studies

Embracing a range of experiences at CSUCI and receiving encouragement and support from staff and faculty enabled Jelon Peavy to challenge himself, learn new skills and work his way up the ladder in a career he loves.

“It showed me that I had the confidence to do more and the drive to do more with my life,” Peavy said.

He went to work supporting the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Port Hueneme, first updating technical manuals and then transitioning into finance. The Camarillo resident began working for government contractors and is now an employee of the Naval Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center.

Peavy set his sights on reaching General Schedule-12, the top pay grade for mid-level positions, just as his mother had done. In 2022, he accomplished this goal when he became a program analyst. Peavy sees many opportunities for his future from here.

“It felt like a huge accomplishment,” said Peavy, who attended CSUCI on the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. “Now I can go into many different things.”

Peavy manages purchase requisitions for equipment such as tanks that are shipped to Iraq.

“I am doing something way bigger than myself,” Peavy said. “It is really an amazing experience.”