By Kayla Good, Navy Office of Community Outreach
SAN DIEGO – A 2001 Kubasaki High School
graduate and Okinawa, Japan native is serving in the U.S.
Navy with Afloat Training Group San Diego.
A Navy intelligence specialist is responsible for collection
processing, analysis and dissemination of classified information about United
States enemies.
“There is always more to learn with this job,” said
Hill. “I never stop learning.”
The training
group provides dynamic training to Navy and Coast Guard sailors to ensure a
combat ready force capable of performing a broad spectrum of missions,
according to Navy officials. Special emphasis is placed on preparing ships'
training teams, special evolution teams and watch teams to institutionalize the
onboard capability to sustain and improve combat readiness throughout an
employment cycle.
“Actually getting to go out and effect the way that
sailors are trained in the fleet is the best part of serving here,” said Hill. “We
keep the sword sharp.”
Afloat Training
Group San Diego strives to keep sailors’ warfare expertise sharp by maintaining
professional knowledge and skills through a robust training program of
installations and factory training, technical symposiums, informal training and
self-study. By maintaining a group of subject matters experts in different
warfare areas, they prepare ships to be missions ready.
"It’s amazing to hear our sailors’ stories,” said Capt. James Storm, commander of Afloat Training Group San Diego.
“Some of them are working on their PhDs and others are working on their first
degree. I’ve met sailors who grew up in extreme poverty, and now they own their
own home here in Southern California. Serving here at Afloat Training Group is
considered a career enhancing tour because these sailors are recognized
experts. They lay the foundation for successful deployments.”
According to Navy officials, approximately 355 sailors
make up the training group making their jobs highly specialized in
order to
keep each part of the command running smoothly.
As a member of
the Afloat Training Group San Diego, sailors prepare ships to deploy. Hill explained
they are building a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes. The trainers
know how important it is for the Navy to maintain and uphold war-fighting
capabilities to continue their success on the world’s oceans.
“The Navy gives me an
opportunity to not only defend my nation and its people, but to show other
Americans that it is possible to serve your country and still be who you are,”
added Hill. “I think that is really important.”