By Navy Office of
Community Outreach
SAN DIEGO – A 1992 Garden City High School graduate
and Wichita, Kansas
native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided missile destroyer, USS
Milius.
Chief Brian Meeker is a cryptologic technician aboard
the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer operating out of San Diego,
California.
A Navy cryptologic technician is responsible for intelligence
analyses; however, as a chief petty officer, Meeker is mostly resonsible for
leading other people who maintain the electonic countermeasures on the ship.
“Dealing with the people is very rewarding,” said Meeker.
“You get a variety of different folks from different backgrounds, and you get to
tailor your leadership to their style of learning.”
Commissioned in November of 1996, Milius measures
approximately 500 feet and is powered by four gas turbines that allow the
destroyer to achieve over 30 mph in open seas. Destroyers are tactical multi-mission
surface combatants capable of conducting anti-air warfare, anti-submarine
warfare and anti-surface warfare, as well as humanitarian assistance. Fast,
maneuverable, and technically advanced, destroyers provide the required
warfighting expertise and operational flexibility to execute any tasking
overseas.
“Leading Milius sailors is
exceptionally rewarding because they genuinely care for one another as people,”
said Cmdr. Gil Ayan, commanding officer of USS Milius. “They want to see one
another succeed and each of them works toward that collective goal. As a
commanding officer, you can’t ask for a better culture than that.”
With a crew of over 300 sailors, jobs
are highly specialized and keep each part of the destroyer running smoothly,
according to Navy officials. The jobs range from washing dishes
and preparing meals to maintaining engines and handling weaponry.
“This is my fourth destroyer, and I love this crew,” said
Meeker. “It's small enough that you get to know everybody. It's kind of like a
small family.”
Challenging living conditions build strong fellowship among
the crew, Navy officials explained. The crew is highly motivated, and quickly
adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches,
and drills.
“The Navy is really my life at this point because I've
been doing it so long,” added Meeker. “I joined the Navy to get out and do
something different and see a lot of different places. It was also a way to
futher my education."