Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Petty Officer 1st Class Kristian-Kandria Foster, an Atlanta native, was always curious about the Navy.
Now, nine years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Foster serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
“The most challenging aspect is being so far from family,” said Foster. “The most exciting part is being in the Middle East because I have never been before.”
Foster, a graduate of North Atlanta High School, is a yeoman at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“I am the admistrative leading petty officer for my office,” said Foster. “I am also the career counselor, I really enjoy working with the junior sailors and helping them figue out their career plan.”
Foster is a part of Task Force 53, priority material office, which coordinates replenishment-at-sea efforts and delivers passengers, mail, cargo, ammunition, provisions and fuel throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. They use air, land and sea modes, helping to ensure sailors aboard ships have what they need to complete their missions.
Foster credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Atlanta.
“Treat everyone like you want to be treated regardless of how they treat you,” said Foster.
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.
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 Foster 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, Foster is most proud of being selected for service at Camp David.
“When I got there, our commanding officer showed a pie chart and only 10 percent of the Navy population are able to support Camp David,” said Foster. “I was proud to be one of the 10 percent.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Foster 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 is a privelge not everyone has the opportunity to do,” said Foster. “I have had friends that had to opt out because they did not qualify to serve.”
“The most challenging aspect is being so far from family,” said Foster. “The most exciting part is being in the Middle East because I have never been before.”
Foster, a graduate of North Atlanta High School, is a yeoman at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“I am the admistrative leading petty officer for my office,” said Foster. “I am also the career counselor, I really enjoy working with the junior sailors and helping them figue out their career plan.”
Foster is a part of Task Force 53, priority material office, which coordinates replenishment-at-sea efforts and delivers passengers, mail, cargo, ammunition, provisions and fuel throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. They use air, land and sea modes, helping to ensure sailors aboard ships have what they need to complete their missions.
Foster credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Atlanta.
“Treat everyone like you want to be treated regardless of how they treat you,” said Foster.
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.
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 Foster 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, Foster is most proud of being selected for service at Camp David.
“When I got there, our commanding officer showed a pie chart and only 10 percent of the Navy population are able to support Camp David,” said Foster. “I was proud to be one of the 10 percent.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Foster 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 is a privelge not everyone has the opportunity to do,” said Foster. “I have had friends that had to opt out because they did not qualify to serve.”