Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Petty Officer 2nd Class James Wallace, an Adrian, Michigan, native, joined the Navy to serve in a capacity that woud allow him to travel the world.
“I get a sense of adrenaline and fun and have the opportunity to do something different than a reguar day-to-day job,” said Wallace.
Now, eight years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Wallace serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
“The exciting thing about being in this part of the Middle East is that I have never been here and this is unlike any other area the Navy is stationed in,” said Wallace. “We have a very high operational tempo.”
Wallace, a graduate of Blissfield High School, is a yeoman at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“I am responsbile for the day-to-day processing of all military records, correspondence, pay, and entitlements for service members,” said Wallace. “I also make sure the bosses, to inlucde British Royal Navy captains, have all the information with regards to exercises we are conducting.”
Wallace credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Adrian.
“I grew up in a really small town after living in a bigger city and learned diversity and adaptability and learned to be social and accepting of everyone I meet,” said Wallace.
U.S. 5th Fleet directs naval operations to ensure maritime security and stability in the Central Region, which connects the Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean through the western Indian Ocean. They work with partner nations to ensure freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in international waterways.
“What I do allows other service members to focus on what they need to do instead of worrying about their pay, or where their family is living,” said Wallace. “ I ensure their service record is on point and that the requirements and correspondence are passed to the right people and not lost in translation.”
The Navy’s U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of ocean, and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 20 countries, includes three critical choke points; the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
Serving in the Navy means Wallace is part of a 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.
A key element of the Navy is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Wallace is most proud of becoming a second class petty officer.
“It allows me to be a leader and influence other junior and younger sailors,” said Wallace.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Wallace and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means I am doing my part like those before me," said Wallace. "Freedom is not free."
Now, eight years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Wallace serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
“The exciting thing about being in this part of the Middle East is that I have never been here and this is unlike any other area the Navy is stationed in,” said Wallace. “We have a very high operational tempo.”
Wallace, a graduate of Blissfield High School, is a yeoman at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“I am responsbile for the day-to-day processing of all military records, correspondence, pay, and entitlements for service members,” said Wallace. “I also make sure the bosses, to inlucde British Royal Navy captains, have all the information with regards to exercises we are conducting.”
Wallace credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Adrian.
“I grew up in a really small town after living in a bigger city and learned diversity and adaptability and learned to be social and accepting of everyone I meet,” said Wallace.
U.S. 5th Fleet directs naval operations to ensure maritime security and stability in the Central Region, which connects the Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean through the western Indian Ocean. They work with partner nations to ensure freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in international waterways.
“What I do allows other service members to focus on what they need to do instead of worrying about their pay, or where their family is living,” said Wallace. “ I ensure their service record is on point and that the requirements and correspondence are passed to the right people and not lost in translation.”
The Navy’s U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of ocean, and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 20 countries, includes three critical choke points; the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
Serving in the Navy means Wallace is part of a 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.
A key element of the Navy is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Wallace is most proud of becoming a second class petty officer.
“It allows me to be a leader and influence other junior and younger sailors,” said Wallace.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Wallace and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means I am doing my part like those before me," said Wallace. "Freedom is not free."