Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist William Steele
SILVERDALE, Wash. – A 1997 Reedsburg Webb High School graduate and Rock Springs, Wisconsin, native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Commander, Submarine Group 9.
Chief Petty Officer Erin Crusan, a legalman, serves at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Washington, not far from Seattle. As a legalman, Crusan is responsible for being a paralegal for the Navy.
“I enjoy the professional atmosphere and helping sailors,” Crusan said. “I like that I am contributing to something greater than myself and being a part of an organization protecting liberties and freedoms.”
Crusan draws from lessons learned growing up in Rock Springs.
“My parents taught me how to be independent, responsible and instilled a good work ethic that's helped me in my career,” Crusan said.
Subordinate to Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Submarine Group 9 exercises administrative command and control authority for assigned Ohio-class ballistic and guided missile submarines and subordinate commands and units in the Pacific Northwest.
Guided-missile submarines provide unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy platform. Armed with tactical missiles and equipped with superior communications capabilities, the submarine performs its mission with a much lower level of risk than what would normally be experienced when deploying this level of capability from surface or air platforms.
"The men and women from across our nation who volunteer for military service embody the fundamental values of honor, courage and sacrifice that are the bedrock of our republic," said Rear Adm. Blake Converse, Commander, Submarine Group Nine. "They protect and defend America from above, below, and across the world's oceans. The entire nation should be extremely proud of the hard work that these sailors do every single day to support the critical mission of the Navy and the submarine force."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Crusan and other sailors know they are part of a legacy, one that will prove a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.
“It's a privilege to be able to serve the country and I'm really grateful for the opportunity to do so,” Crusan said.