Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson G. Brown
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Petty Officer 2nd Class Alyssa Gatlin, a Fayetteville, North Carolina, native, joined the Navy to serve the country and be apart of something bigger.
Now, years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Gatlin serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
“It’s exciting to live and work in the Middle East,” said Gatlin.
Gatlin, a graduate of Seventy-First High School, is a logistics specialist at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“We are responsible for providing all the supplies and services required by our command,” said Gatlin. “Logistics specialist are needed on every single platform because our efforts are crucial for mission success.”
Gatlin is a part of Task Force 56, which conducts expeditionary, mine countermeasures, explosive ordnance disposal, salvage diving, and force protection operations throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.
Gatlin credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Fayetteville.
“Growing up in a military town, serving your country is heavily emphasized,” said Gatlin. “My hometown has taught me to give my all and put 100 percent effort into everything that I do.”
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.
“I enjoy the culture Bahrain and the Middle East has to offer,” said Gatlin.
Serving in the Navy means Gatlin 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, Gatlin is most proud of mentoring junior sailors.
“The Navy has taught me the importance of teamwork,” said Gatlin. “The moto of service before self has helped me develop leadership skills.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Gatlin 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 that we have to put the needs of our nation before our own,” said Gatlin. "We sacrifice time away from our friends and family for the greater good.”
“It’s exciting to live and work in the Middle East,” said Gatlin.
Gatlin, a graduate of Seventy-First High School, is a logistics specialist at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“We are responsible for providing all the supplies and services required by our command,” said Gatlin. “Logistics specialist are needed on every single platform because our efforts are crucial for mission success.”
Gatlin is a part of Task Force 56, which conducts expeditionary, mine countermeasures, explosive ordnance disposal, salvage diving, and force protection operations throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.
Gatlin credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Fayetteville.
“Growing up in a military town, serving your country is heavily emphasized,” said Gatlin. “My hometown has taught me to give my all and put 100 percent effort into everything that I do.”
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.
“I enjoy the culture Bahrain and the Middle East has to offer,” said Gatlin.
Serving in the Navy means Gatlin 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, Gatlin is most proud of mentoring junior sailors.
“The Navy has taught me the importance of teamwork,” said Gatlin. “The moto of service before self has helped me develop leadership skills.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Gatlin 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 that we have to put the needs of our nation before our own,” said Gatlin. "We sacrifice time away from our friends and family for the greater good.”