Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist William Steele
SILVERDALE, Wash. – A 1998 Fairfield High School graduate and Seattle native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Commander, Submarine Group 9.
Lt. Cmdr. Francis Montojo, a strategic weapons officer, serves at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Washington, not far from Seattle. As a strategic weapons officer, Montojo is responsible for overseeing training, operations and certification of the submarine force with expertise in strategic weapons systems matters.
“I enjoy the people I work with," Montojo said. "They are very motivated, talented and a close-knit group of people. Submariners are a very special group of people in respect to the skills and how close we become through adversity.”
Montojo draws from lessons learned growing up in Seattle.
“Commitment, perseverance and looking out for one another has helped me to continue to push forward and ensure mission accomplishment,” Montojo 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, Montojo and other sailors know they are part of a legacy, one that will prove a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving means I've been able to do something to help contribute to others and do my part for my country and the rest of the world," Montojo said. "We have such a big responsibility on the world stage and through my service I'm able to do my part.”