(WTAJ) \u2014 As many U.S. Navy sailors make their way to Pennsylvania for Navy Week to volunteer and participate in community outreach, one officer is returning close to his hometown of Altoona.<\/p>\n
Petty Officer 1st Class Dirk McGarvey graduated from Glendale Junior\/Senior High School in 2008 and later joined the Navy as a way to better his life, not just for himself but for his young family, according to the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO). He found that many of the qualities he possessed as an Altoona native were keys to him succeding during his service.<\/p>\n
\u201cI joined the Navy around 24 years old, so I had been to college and worked in the civilian world,\u201d McGarvey said. \u201cHaving that experience set me up with a lot of knowledge and helped me become a better sailor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Navy Week is being held from May 20 to 25 and is being hosted for the first time in Harrisburg. Previous Navy Weeks saw stops in states like Hawaii, Kentucky, and North Carolina. The event serves as outreach to give the public the opportunity to learn more about the service, the officers, and how it is significant in protecting national security.<\/p>\n
\u201cPennsylvania doesn\u2019t see a lot of Navy presence, as compared to places like San Diego and Norfolk,\u201d McGarvey said. \u201cPeople may not know a lot about the Navy\u2019s day-to-day operations and history. I haven\u2019t met very many people who have joined the Navy who are from PA.\u201d<\/p>\n
To learn more about NAVCO and to see a list of Navy Weeks for 2026, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n