By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller,
Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward
YOKOSUKA, Japan- A 2012 East Bay High School graduate inTampa, Florisa and Washington, D.C. native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard USS
Blue Ridge.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Chalise Ellis is a culinary specialist aboard the
forward-deployed amphibious command ship operating out of Yokosuka, Japan.
As a Navy culinary specialist,
Ellis leads junior sailors responsible for planning, preparing and serving meals for nearly 300 sailors
every day. They maintain food service spaces and associated equipment including
storerooms and refrigerated spaces.
“D.C.
is a fast-paced area with many different people groups," said Ellis. "Growing up I had to interact with lot of diversity. This made
transitioning into the Navy much easier and helps me deal with my job every day
as a culinary specialist.”
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.
“My younger brother currently serves in the Army and
seeing his success influenced me to join the Navy," said Ellis. "He was always saying that
giving back to your country is important. That mindset gives me a great deal of
pride and encourages me every day. I’m also proud of being the president of The Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions. Knowing that I’m helping other
sailors overcome problems gives me satisfaction.”
Sailors serving abroad in Japan are highly motivated and
quickly adapt to changing conditions, explained Navy officials.
“Serving in the Navy means being able to give back and
having pride in what what you do at all time," added Ellis. "I definitely believe that I’m
part of something bigger than myself.”
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.