Hard work and determination led Freddy Tora, 30, to achieve goals he once considered unattainable. Originally from Nailaga, Ba, he transitioned from diving for mussels in the Ba River for family meals to enduring the rigorous training required to become a United States Navy sailor.
Despite financial challenges after finishing high school, Tora remained focused on becoming independent. On September 26, he graduated as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate, a role that involves managing aircraft operations on navy vessels. He completed a three-month boot camp at the U.S. Naval Station in Great Lakes, Illinois.
Tora was motivated to join the Navy to ultimately pursue a career in medicine. He expressed gratitude for the support he received along his journey. He reflected on the training experience, noting that mental preparation proved to be the most demanding aspect. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset in challenging situations.
Certain elements of the training brought back memories of home, such as swimming tests reminiscent of his childhood mussel diving in the Ba River, which aided his training significantly.
The youngest of four siblings of Maika Tora and Miriama Rokovui, Tora was raised in Ba and attended Ratu Rusiate Nabuta Memorial School before completing his secondary education at Ba Methodist High School. After deciding to repeat Year 13 at Dilkusha Methodist High School in 2014 to achieve better grades, he began studying for a Bachelor of Human Resources Management at Fiji National University in 2016.
Facing financial difficulties, Tora paused his studies as his mother was the sole breadwinner. During this time, he engaged in odd jobs, including running a barber business and event planning. In 2019, he graduated from the University of the South Pacific, and in 2022, he relocated to the U.S., leaving behind friends and family to start anew.
Settling in Kansas City, Tora attended Pratt Community College while obtaining a certified nursing assistant license and worked in a hospital for a year before moving to California in 2023. He credited his mother, family, and supportive individuals he met along the way for encouraging him to persevere.
Looking ahead, Tora plans to enroll in a Bachelor’s Degree program in Nursing to continue caring for others, a passion he deeply values. Currently, he has relocated to Florida for his Aviation School, awaiting his next assignment.