By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Heidi Cheek
SAN DIEGO – An Old-Tafo, Ghana, native and 2007 Juaben Senior High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided missile destroyer, USS Decatur.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Samuel Asare is a culinary specialist aboard the guided-missile destroyer operating out of San Diego.
A Navy culinary specialist is responsible for boosting the morale of the crew by providing nutritious meals to the sailors and Marines.
Asare credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Old-Tafo.
“I learned to work hard and respect the people around you,” said Asare. “There is a sense of pride in the work you are doing knowing that the people around you are counting on you to hold up your end.”
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.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Asare, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Asare is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My cousin served in the Army,” said Asare. “He influenced me in joining the military before I even got to the states by telling me all the benefits.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Asare 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 has given me a chance to improve myself and given me the opportunity to increase my knowledge and skill set,” added Asare.