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.
During this Women’s History Month of March, a Standish, Michigan, sailor and 2009 Ogemaw Heights High School graduate is serving aboard USS Hopper, named for Rear Adm. Grace Hopper.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Lentz has served in the Navy for six years and works as a Navy electronics technican, serving aboard the Pearl Harbor-based guided-missile destroyer.
Lentz credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Standish.
“Growing up I was taught patience, especially while under stress," said Lentz. "This lesson has been very helpful at sea.”
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 electronics technician, Lentz is responsible for being the radar technician for equipment that identifies friends or foes according to the radar readings, maintaining equipment and performing routine maintenance.
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."
“I know that Grace Hopper was a scientist and it is very motivating that one person can make such a difference in the Navy,” said Lentz.
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 Lentz 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, Lentz is most proud of earning a flag letter of commendation in 2016 from his first command for assisting in a test missle launch and helping with the set up, making sure everything was safe.
“It is kind of a big deal because we used the missile launch Navy-wide," said Lentz. "I'm proud that I participated in such a great effort.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Lentz, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Lentz is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My grandpa was in the Army National Guard and it influenced me to join. The miltiary is always there to support the life you want and can be used as a launching pad,” said Lentz. “This is not for everyone but I hope my future family will see the benefit in it.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Lentz and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Being in the Navy means you can serve your country, you can set yourself up personally and professionally and I can help my family,” added Lentz.