Freddy Tora, a 30-year-old from Nailaga, Ba, has achieved surprising success through hard work and determination. Having started his journey diving for mussels in the Ba River to help his family, he has transformed his life by undergoing rigorous training to become a United States Navy sailor.
Tora, who has familial ties to Visama in Nakelo and Tailevu, faced financial challenges after graduating high school and struggled to achieve his ambitions. However, he was resolute about creating a stable future for himself.
On September 26, Tora proudly graduated as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (ABM), a vital role that involves managing aircraft operations on naval ships. His training included three months at the Navy boot camp located at the U.S Naval Station in Great Lakes, Illinois.
His decision to join the Navy stemmed from a long-term ambition to enter the medical field. He expressed deep gratitude for the opportunities provided to him, crediting his success to a higher power.
Tora described the intensive basic training as both challenging and rewarding, noting that mental preparation was crucial. He reflected on how aspects of training, particularly the swimming tests, reminded him of his childhood experiences in the Ba River, which ultimately aided him throughout his Navy training.
Raised in Ba, Tora is the second youngest of four siblings. He began his education at Ratu Rusiate Nabuta Memorial School before transferring to Ba Methodist High School. After repeating Year 13 at Dilkusha Methodist High School to improve his grades, he enrolled in the Fiji National University for a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management. However, due to financial constraints, he put his studies on hold and resorted to self-employment through his barbering business and event planning.
In 2019, he completed his studies at the University of the South Pacific and made the bold decision to move to the U.S. in 2022. After residing in Kansas City and obtaining a certified nursing assistant license, he worked in a hospital for a year before relocating to California, and later to Florida for his Aviation School.
Tora credits his motivation to his family, both in Fiji and the U.S., and highlights his desire to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing to continue helping others. He now awaits his next assignment in the Navy, ready to embrace the future.