MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Le, a native of Goodyear, Arizona, serves aboard USS John Basilone, a U.S. Navy warship operating out of Mayport, Florida.
Le graduated from Desert Edge High School in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Goodyear.
“Growing up, I learned discipline and patience,” Le said. “Some of my teachers from high school were prior service members and instilled important values in me that carried over into my Navy career.”
Le joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Le serves as an operations specialist.
“I was inspired by my uncle to join the Navy,” Le said. “I wanted to become a sailor like him, and now I have the opportunity to travel the world and have a career in the military.”
A Navy destroyer, John Basilone, is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with Tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a Phalanx close-in weapons system.
More than 300 sailors serve aboard John Basilone. Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry, along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber-optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Le has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud of advancing to the rank of petty officer second class and earning the Petty Officer of the Watch qualification,” Le said. “I feel more confident now that I am a second class because I have gained experience and knowledge to better lead junior sailors.”
Le serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy is a daily learning experience,” Le said. “It has helped me become a better leader both in and out of uniform.”
Le is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my family and my teachers,” Le said. “They helped get me to where I am today and continue to support me in my military career.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Hanchar |
Le graduated from Desert Edge High School in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Goodyear.
“Growing up, I learned discipline and patience,” Le said. “Some of my teachers from high school were prior service members and instilled important values in me that carried over into my Navy career.”
Le joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Le serves as an operations specialist.
“I was inspired by my uncle to join the Navy,” Le said. “I wanted to become a sailor like him, and now I have the opportunity to travel the world and have a career in the military.”
A Navy destroyer, John Basilone, is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with Tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a Phalanx close-in weapons system.
More than 300 sailors serve aboard John Basilone. Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry, along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber-optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Le has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud of advancing to the rank of petty officer second class and earning the Petty Officer of the Watch qualification,” Le said. “I feel more confident now that I am a second class because I have gained experience and knowledge to better lead junior sailors.”
Le serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy is a daily learning experience,” Le said. “It has helped me become a better leader both in and out of uniform.”
Le is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my family and my teachers,” Le said. “They helped get me to where I am today and continue to support me in my military career.”