Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist William Steele
SILVERDALE, Wash. – A 2014 Subic National High School graduate and Subic, Philippines, native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Commander, Submarine Group 9.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Elizabeth Gordon, a master-at-arms, serves at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Washington, not far from Seattle. As a master-at-arms, Gordon is responsible for providing law enforcement support.
“I enjoy the adrenaline rush from doing my job,” Gordon said. “I enjoy the benefits and helping to support my family.”
Gordon draws from lessons learned growing up in Subic.
“My dad is retired Navy and has helped guide me in the right direction and set me up for success,” Gordon 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, Gordon and other sailors know they are part of a legacy, one that will prove a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.
“I'm giving a lot to help protect my country and serving allows me to help people,” Gordon said.