Navy Office of Community Outreach
SASEBO, Japan – A Grandbury, Texas, native and 1994 Lamar High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy with Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo (CFAS).
Lt. Byron Johnson is a chaplain serving at Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo, operating out of Sasebo, Japan.
A Navy chaplain is responsible for religious programs and counseling sailors.
“My parents had a big impact on me,” said Johnson. "My mother was a devout Catholic and she took us to church, Most Blessed Sacrament Church. My father's work ethic and my mom's faith contributed to me being successful in the military."
Johnson’s proudest accomplishment in the Navy is seeing sailors and families overcoming obstacles and being successful, spiritually and emotionally.
A Navy chaplain is responsible for religious programs and counseling sailors.
“My parents had a big impact on me,” said Johnson. "My mother was a devout Catholic and she took us to church, Most Blessed Sacrament Church. My father's work ethic and my mom's faith contributed to me being successful in the military."
Johnson’s proudest accomplishment in the Navy is seeing sailors and families overcoming obstacles and being successful, spiritually and emotionally.
"My grandfather served in the Navy as a pilot and he had a big influence on me joining the Navy, he served in the Pacific area during WWII," said Johnson. "My other grandfather was a prisoner of war in Germany. He was captured, survived and escaped. Through him I learned how to get through hard times and persevere. My grandfather was a spiritual leader of the family and he is the reason I wanted to join as a chaplain."
Moments like that makes it worth serving around the world ready at all times to defend America’s interests. 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. The Navy's presence in Sasebo is part of that long-standing commitment, explained Navy officials.
“It was the events of Sept. 11 that moved me to join and eventually become a Navy chaplain,” said Johnson. “The Navy has helped me become more disciplined, more structured and appreciate teamwork and sacrifice."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Johnson and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means taking care of the needs of our sailors and Marines and providing spiritual care for them to complete the mission,” said Johnson.
Seventh Fleet, which is celebrating its 75th year in 2018, spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South. Seventh Fleet's area of operation encompasses 36 maritime countries and 50 percent of the world’s population with between 50-70 U.S. ships and submarines, 140 aircraft, and approximately 20,000 sailors in the 7th Fleet.
Moments like that makes it worth serving around the world ready at all times to defend America’s interests. 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. The Navy's presence in Sasebo is part of that long-standing commitment, explained Navy officials.
“It was the events of Sept. 11 that moved me to join and eventually become a Navy chaplain,” said Johnson. “The Navy has helped me become more disciplined, more structured and appreciate teamwork and sacrifice."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Johnson and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means taking care of the needs of our sailors and Marines and providing spiritual care for them to complete the mission,” said Johnson.
Seventh Fleet, which is celebrating its 75th year in 2018, spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South. Seventh Fleet's area of operation encompasses 36 maritime countries and 50 percent of the world’s population with between 50-70 U.S. ships and submarines, 140 aircraft, and approximately 20,000 sailors in the 7th Fleet.