By Mass
Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller, Navy Office of Community
Outreach
Photo by Senior
Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward
YOKOSUKA, Japan- A 2014 Bellaire
High School graduate and Houston native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard USS Blue Ridge.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Tiara Malbroue is a culinary specialist aboard the forward-deployed amphibious
command ship operating out of Yokosuka, Japan.
As a Navy culinary
specialist, Malbroue leads junior
sailors responsible for
planning, preparing and serving meals for nearly 700 sailors
every day. They maintain food service spaces and associated equipment including
storerooms and refrigerated spaces.
“Growing up I learned not to judge other people," said Malbroue. "With my
job in the Navy, I take that a step further and try to better understand their
perspectives and how they view certain situations. I also try to love and respect everyone I come in contact with.”
With more than 50 percent
of the world's shipping tonnage and a third of the world's crude oil passing
through the region, the United States has historic and enduring interests in
this part of the world.
"Our alliance is rooted in shared
interests and shared values," said Adm. Harry Harris, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command. "It's not hyperbole to say that the entire world has benefited
from the U.S.-Japan alliance. While our alliance helped stabilize the region
after the Second World War, it also enabled the Japanese people to bring about
an era of unprecedented economic growth. And for the last six decades, our
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have worked side by side
with the Japan Self Defense Force to protect and advance peace and freedom."
USS Blue Ridge serves as
the flagship for the U.S. Seventh Fleet. It is one of only two U.S. Navy
command ships in the world, providing command and control for fleet commanders.
Forward-deployed sailors are
crucial to the success of the global Navy mission and earn high praise from
their leaders.
“One thing I’m proud of is that I just finished my
information dominance qualification," said Malbroue. "It was
pretty intense and took nearly three months of hard studying while I was
working. Knowing that this helps me advance in my career is rewarding.”
Sailors serving abroad in
Japan are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions, explained
Navy officials.
“I believe the Navy is a really good stepping stone in my
career," added Malbroue. "It’s helped me to learn to work with different
personalities. I’m also learning more about myself on a personal level and
growing in many different ways.”
Sailors
play a vital role in the overall military mission around the world.
"The U.S.-Japan alliance remains
the cornerstone for peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region,"
said Harris.