Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Rae Moreno
ROTA, Spain – A 2010 Lakeview Technology Academy graduate and Kenosha, Wisconsin, native is serving our country in the Navy, living on the coast of Spain, and participating in a critical NATO ballistic missile defense (BMD) mission while assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Ross.
A Navy training officer is responsible for scheduling schools for sailors, maintaining the ship qualifications and training process and scheduling training certifications.
Schulz credits success in the Navy with lessons learned growing up in Kenosha.
“Growing up in my hometown, I learned the impact that leaders can have on people,” said Schulz. “My principal in high school was highly engaged with all the students and cared about their career choices after high school. I try to embody that leadership style and invest in my sailors' future goals, in or out of the Navy.”
These four destroyers are forward-deployed in Rota to fulfill the United States’ phased commitment to NATO BMD while also carrying out a wide range of missions to support the security of Europe.
According to the NATO website, many countries have, or are trying to develop ballistic missiles. The ability to acquire these capabilities does not necessarily mean there is an immediate intent to attack NATO, but that the alliance has a responsibility to take any possible threat into account as part of its core task of collective defense.
U.S. Navy Aegis ballistic missile defense provides scalability, flexibility and mobility. These systems are equally beneficial to U.S. assets, allies and regional partners in all areas of the world. Positioning four ballistic missile defense ships in Spain provides an umbrella of protection to forward-deployed forces, friends and allies while contributing to a broader defense of the United States.
Guided-missile destroyers are 510 feet long warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. The ships are armed with tomahawk cruise missiles, advanced gun systems, close-in gun systems and long-range missiles to counter the threat to friendly forces posed by manned aircraft, anti-ship, cruise and tactical ballistic missiles.
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 necessity for everything the Navy does. The Navy cannot project power, secure the commons, deter aggression, or assure allies without the ability to control the seas when and where desired.
The ship is named after Capt. Donald Kirby Ross, who was presented a Medal of Honor by Adm. Chester Nimitz for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
“I'm proud to lead such a dedicated, experienced, resilient and mission-oriented crew,” said Cmdr. Bryan S. Gallo, commanding officer of USS Ross. “Team Ross always meets the mission while taking care of each other and having a fun time doing it.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Schulz, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Schulz is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My uncle served in the Army and I had two cousins who served in the Air Force,” said Schulz. “My influence to join was through a friend who joined the Army while I was in high school, but my uncle was a great resource for deciding which service to choose. He encouraged me to join the Navy to broaden my options while in and to travel the world.”
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Schulz has found many great rewards.
Schulz is proud of earning a surface warfare officer's pin.
Unique experiences build strong fellowship among the crew of more than 300 women and men aboard Ross. Their hard work and professionalism are a testament to the namesake's dedication and the ship's motto, "Fortune Favors Valor." 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.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Schulz and other Ross sailors know they are a part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“The Navy has allowed me to gain valuable leadership experiences," said Schulz. "From interactions with sailors on a daily basis to standing watch as officer-of-the-deck through international straights, I have adapted to high pressure scenarios and learned that my limits are higher than I originally thought.”
Living in Spain while serving aboard the Ross has been a positive impact on the ship’s sailors, including Schulz.
“My favorite part about serving in Spain has been working in areas of the world that most other Navy ships only pass through," added Schulz. "We conduct a lot of operations with NATO allies and it is awesome to engage in international military relations. In the process, we get the chance to visit many NATO countries and strengthen our military cooperations.”
Guided-missile destroyers are 510 feet long warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. The ships are armed with tomahawk cruise missiles, advanced gun systems, close-in gun systems and long-range missiles to counter the threat to friendly forces posed by manned aircraft, anti-ship, cruise and tactical ballistic missiles.
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 necessity for everything the Navy does. The Navy cannot project power, secure the commons, deter aggression, or assure allies without the ability to control the seas when and where desired.
The ship is named after Capt. Donald Kirby Ross, who was presented a Medal of Honor by Adm. Chester Nimitz for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
“I'm proud to lead such a dedicated, experienced, resilient and mission-oriented crew,” said Cmdr. Bryan S. Gallo, commanding officer of USS Ross. “Team Ross always meets the mission while taking care of each other and having a fun time doing it.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Schulz, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Schulz is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My uncle served in the Army and I had two cousins who served in the Air Force,” said Schulz. “My influence to join was through a friend who joined the Army while I was in high school, but my uncle was a great resource for deciding which service to choose. He encouraged me to join the Navy to broaden my options while in and to travel the world.”
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Schulz has found many great rewards.
Schulz is proud of earning a surface warfare officer's pin.
Unique experiences build strong fellowship among the crew of more than 300 women and men aboard Ross. Their hard work and professionalism are a testament to the namesake's dedication and the ship's motto, "Fortune Favors Valor." 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.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Schulz and other Ross sailors know they are a part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“The Navy has allowed me to gain valuable leadership experiences," said Schulz. "From interactions with sailors on a daily basis to standing watch as officer-of-the-deck through international straights, I have adapted to high pressure scenarios and learned that my limits are higher than I originally thought.”
Living in Spain while serving aboard the Ross has been a positive impact on the ship’s sailors, including Schulz.
“My favorite part about serving in Spain has been working in areas of the world that most other Navy ships only pass through," added Schulz. "We conduct a lot of operations with NATO allies and it is awesome to engage in international military relations. In the process, we get the chance to visit many NATO countries and strengthen our military cooperations.”