U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rusty Pang
PEARL HARBOR – There’s a U.S. Navy ship unlike most floating in the waters of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. It's a Navy warship that honors the name of a female who has set the standard of excellence for those who have followed.
Senior Chief Petty Officer Stacy Robinson has served in the Navy for 20 years and works as a Navy information systems technician, serving aboard the Pearl Harbor-based guided-missile destroyer.
Robinson credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Confluence.
“I am from a small town and no matter where you are from big or small, the Navy has allowed me to dream big and achieve whatever I want," said Robinson. "I have my master's degree, sailed around the world and have a family.”
The sailors’ jobs aboard USS Hopper are highly specialized, requiring dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments keeping the ship mission-ready at all times.
As a Navy information systems technician, Robinson is responsible for being a network systems administrator.
More than 300 sailors serve aboard the ship named for the pioneering computer scientist who served in the Navy for 43 years.
Though Rear Adm. Hopper joined the Naval Reserves in 1943 after being an associate professor of mathematics at Vassar College, retired from the Naval Reserve with the rank of commander at the end of 1966. She was recalled to active duty in August 1967 for a six-month period that turned into an indefinite assignment. From 1967 to 1977, Hopper served as the director of the Navy Programming Languages Group in the Navy's Office of Information Systems Planning and was promoted to the rank of captain in 1973. Hopper was promoted to commodore by special Presidential appointment in 1983. In 1985, the rank of commodore was renamed rear admiral lower half. She retired from the Navy on August 14, 1986. Owing to the breadth of her accomplishments and her naval rank, she is sometimes referred to as "Amazing Grace."
“It's an honor to serve aboard the Grace Hopper," said Robinson. "She is known for creating a computer language. As a woman and senior enlisted leader who is inspiring junior enlisted sailors, mentoring them and helping to guide them is continuing on the path Grace Hopper set for us.”
Navy guided-missile destroyers are multi-mission ships, equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons systems, that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea.
Being stationed in Pearl Harbor, often referred to as the gateway to the Pacific in defense circles, means Robinson is serving in a part of the world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances, and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
The Pacific is home to more than 50 percent of the world's population, many of the world's largest and smallest economies, several of the world's largest militaries, and many U.S. allies. The Navy has been pivotal in helping maintain peace and stability in the Pacific region for decades.
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Robinson is most proud of earning a Joint Commedation Medal for her tour in Iraq with special forces along with seven Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals for being a detailer and working in the patrol squadron.
“Selfless service to my country and the work I have done is making me important not only to the command, but to Navy as well," said Robinson. "I am proud of the hard work and dedication.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Robinson, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Robinson is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My grandfather served in the Army during WWII and my husband was in the Navy,” said Robinson. “It is an honor because not everyone can join and also because I have been able to do this and inspire others to do this.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Robinson and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving is the most humbling experience anyone can ever do," added Robinson. "You interact with people from all over the world and are with people of different cultures and backgrounds. You can help them achieve their dreams and goals and have a positive impact.”