By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steve Watterworth
Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tom Gagnier
NORFOLK – A 2002 C A Johnson High School graduate and Columbia, South Carolina, native is serving in the U.S. Navy at Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (COMNAVSURFLANT), which is located on the largest Navy base in the world, Naval Station Norfolk.
A Navy legalman is normally responsible for serving as a paralegal supporting Navy lawyers, sailors and their families.
“I like the research required in helping people, solving cases and being underway,” said Lee.
Lee credits her success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in her hometown of Columbia.
“My mom taught me to be respectful in all my interactions,” said Lee.
SURFLANT was established in 1975 to provide a central, East Coast command for the cruisers, destroyers, amphibious ships and other surface forces of the Navy’s Atlantic Fleet.
COMNAVSURFLANT is one of the six U.S. naval type commands. It was established in 1975 as a consolidation of the cruiser-destroyer, amphibious, and service forces of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In addition to SURFLANT's nearly 70 ships, there are special mission and fleet support units that make up the more than 100 commands of the force. SURFLANT personnel are stationed stateside and forward deployed in Bahrain; Rota, Spain; and the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System in Romania and Poland. Additionally, surface forces provide a critical element to drug interdiction operations in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific.
"To go in harm's way" in defense of the principles of freedom and democracy has been the rally call of surface force sailors for more than 200 years.
The command provides combat-ready surface forces for U.S. Fleet Forces Command and combatant commanders that are capable of conducting prompt, sustained naval, joint, and combined operations in support of United States national interests.
“My top priority is readiness. I’m extremely proud of the diverse group of sailors and civilians who serve at our command, they accept every challenge and serve with honor,” said Rear Adm. Jesse A. Wilson Jr., commander, Surfaces Forces Atlantic. “Together we are a team of warfighters who properly man, tactically train and effectively equip a force that is ready for the fight today and tomorrow.”
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Lee has found reward in service.
“The best moment I’ve had in the Navy has been teaching senior officers at the war college how to be strategic and lead the fleets through war games,” said Lee.