LCDR Juan "Gator" Mejia is a navigator aboard the USS Nathan James. He is responsible for the coordinates and conditions that affect the ship's direction and movement. The name "Gator" is shorthand for the title of Navigator[1].
Biography[]
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While Gator is an expert on the computerized navigation equipment, he has also proven that he can navigate without it if necessary. He got the Nathan James through a narrow coral reef when the ship was escaping the Russians after the Russians mined the area around the ship to keep it from escaping. The Nathan James was on radio and radar silence, so Gator had to use pen and paper to plot their course.
Gator is also very aware of the various land masses surrounding the ship at any time. He identified the island where the ship could stop and make crucial repairs to the engine. It took six days and the crew ran out of water, but they made it.
During "Endgame," Gator volunteers as part of the boarding party for the HS Triton. Gator proves himself to be an expert marksman, telling his fellow teammates that he had scored double expert at the academy and no one knew because no one ever asked him. Later, Gator receives some good-natured teasing from the Vulture team while helping Doc Rios to treat their injuries.
In "Casus Belli," Gator visits the Nathan James during Fleet week where its revealed he retired from the Navy and has a two-year-old son. After the Attack on Mayport, Gator reenlists in the Navy and rejoins the Nathan James as its naviagator.
In "Courage", after TAO spotted two of Tavo's corvette ships on SLQ-32, Gator proposes a plan that the Nathan James and the USS Jeffrey Michener stay just outside the corvette ships' areas of awareness, by starting and stopping, veering sharply, and occasionally going backwards, known as the "Frogger" strategy to miss Tavo's corvette ships, which succeeded.
Awards and Decorations[]
The following are the medals and service awards seen worn on Mejia's uniform in the show.
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