By Kayla Turnbow, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Heidi Cheek
SAN DIEGO – A Brooklyn, New York, native and 2001 South Shore High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided missile destroyer, USS Decatur.
Seaman Apprentice Troy Farley is a culinary specialist aboard the guided-missile destroyer operating out of San Diego.
A Navy culinary specialist is responsible for cooking and prepping the meals for the crew aboard the ship.
Farley credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Brooklyn.
“Growing up I was taught perseverance,” said Farley. “Every day in the Navy you have to push through, not give up and not let anything defeat you. My background gives me the motivation to keep going.”
More than 300 sailors serve aboard the ship, and their jobs are highly specialized, requiring dedication and skill, according to Navy officials. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignment that keep the ship mission-ready at all times.
“The success of the Decatur is due to the dedication and ownership each member of the crew feels towards making Decatur the best ship on the waterfront,” said Cmdr. Bob Bowen, commanding officer of USS Decatur. “Our team is always ready to accomplish the mission because of the commitment each sailor has to maintaining high standards and sound shipboard operating principles. Every team member knows their roles and responsibilities and does their part to ensure success.”
Destroyers are warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. They are 510 feet long and armed with tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, Standard Missile-3 and newer variants of the SM missile family, advanced gun systems and close-in gun systems. Destroyers are deployed globally and can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, or amphibious readiness groups. Their presence helps the Navy control the sea. Sea control is the precondition for everything else the Navy does. It cannot project power, secure the commons, deter aggression, or assure allies without the ability to control the seas when and where desired.
The ship has anti-aircraft capability armed with long range missiles intended for air defense to counter the threat to friendly forces posed by manned aircraft, anti-ship, cruise and tactical ballistic missiles.
Unique experiences build strong fellowship among the crew. The crew is motivated, and can quickly adapt to changing conditions, according to Navy officials. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches and drills. Serving aboard a guided missile destroyer instills accountability and toughness and fosters initiative and integrity.
“I like the camaraderie among the culinary specilaists and the crew as a whole,” said Farley. “We get to interact with a lot of people, so it makes for good morale when we all get along.”
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Farley has found many great rewards.
Farley is also proud of earning Culinary Specilaist of the Month in May of 2018.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Farley 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 gives me a lot of pride,” added Farley. “No matter your color or background, the Navy gives you the opportunity to be the best you can be.”