By Kayla Turnbow, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Heidi Cheek
SAN DIEGO – A Trinidad and Tabago native and 2011 Poinciana High School in Kissimee, Florida, graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided missile destroyer, USS Decatur.
Petty Officer 1st Class Andrea Duke is a logistics specialist aboard the guided-missile destroyer operating out of San Diego.
A Navy logistics specialist is responsible for providing logistics to support the ship's mission including parts, uniforms, vehicles, transportation are available for the ship to be prepared.
Duke credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Trinidad and Tabago.
“If you stay in a small town, you won't ever do big things,” said Duke. “I feel like the Navy is allowing me more opportunity.”
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.
“The Decatur challenges me to be stronger, to be more resilent and maintain mental toughness,” said Duke. “I get to impact a lot of people by serving aboard this ship.”
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Duke has found many great rewards.
Duke is also proud of earning a Navy Achievement Medal, a Flag Letter of Commendation and Sailor of the Quarter twice.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Duke 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 independence,” added Duke. “It gives me a chance to lead and an opportunity to grow. I am able to impact lives of junior sailors and spread my positive influence.”