Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson G. Brown
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Petty Officer 2nd Class Danielle Watkins, a Chicago native, wanted to finish what her dad, a wounded Vietnam veteran, started in the Navy.
Now, six years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Watkins serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
“Every day is different,” said Watkins. “I'm never stagnant in my job, and I love the opportunity to have new problems to solve every day.”
Watkins, a 2009 graduate of Carl Schurz High School, is a personnel specialist at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“We are responsible for several human resource, administrative and customer service functions such as managing pay and record keeping,” said Watkins. “Taking care of awards for sailors is rewarding, and needs to be done. Sailors need to be recognized for their hard work, especially out here.”
Watkins credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Chicago.
“Chicago is a melting pot with endless opportunities, and the Navy is very similar,” said Watkins. “Chicago taught me to embrace new experiences and to always aim for the next level. There's so much knowledge to gain simply by reaching out to others and by asking questions. Success requires work, and if I keep this in mind, there's no limit to how far I can go.”
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.
“Being able to see the bigger picture in the U.S. 5th Fleet has been an eye-opening experience for me,” said Watkins.
Serving in the Navy means Watkins 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, Watkins is most proud of being selected to the supply officer community.
“I'm proud of my determination and drive to keep pushing forward in the selection process,” said Watkins. “I wasn't selected the first time I applied for this program, but I didn't give up and got selected the second time around.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Watkins and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“I've always had the passion to serve others, I just didn't know my calling was going to be through my time spent in the Navy,” said Watkins. “Every day I leave my office knowing that I have accomplished another task and have positively affected the life of someone. Serving in the Navy means stepping outside my comfort zone and committing myself to excellence while never sacrificing my integrity. I'm filled with pride as I put on this uniform.”
“Every day is different,” said Watkins. “I'm never stagnant in my job, and I love the opportunity to have new problems to solve every day.”
Watkins, a 2009 graduate of Carl Schurz High School, is a personnel specialist at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“We are responsible for several human resource, administrative and customer service functions such as managing pay and record keeping,” said Watkins. “Taking care of awards for sailors is rewarding, and needs to be done. Sailors need to be recognized for their hard work, especially out here.”
Watkins credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Chicago.
“Chicago is a melting pot with endless opportunities, and the Navy is very similar,” said Watkins. “Chicago taught me to embrace new experiences and to always aim for the next level. There's so much knowledge to gain simply by reaching out to others and by asking questions. Success requires work, and if I keep this in mind, there's no limit to how far I can go.”
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.
“Being able to see the bigger picture in the U.S. 5th Fleet has been an eye-opening experience for me,” said Watkins.
Serving in the Navy means Watkins 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, Watkins is most proud of being selected to the supply officer community.
“I'm proud of my determination and drive to keep pushing forward in the selection process,” said Watkins. “I wasn't selected the first time I applied for this program, but I didn't give up and got selected the second time around.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Watkins and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“I've always had the passion to serve others, I just didn't know my calling was going to be through my time spent in the Navy,” said Watkins. “Every day I leave my office knowing that I have accomplished another task and have positively affected the life of someone. Serving in the Navy means stepping outside my comfort zone and committing myself to excellence while never sacrificing my integrity. I'm filled with pride as I put on this uniform.”