Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Petty Offier 1st Class Stephen Sobocinski, a Garfield Heights, Ohio, native, joined the Navy because he felt it was his best option.
Now, nine years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Sobocinski serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
“I came here expecting to do a particular job but ended up doing another,” said Sobocinski. “That has been both challenging and rewarding.”
Sobocinski, a graduate of Garfield Heights High School, is an aviation boatswain’s mate, handling at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“I am responsible for tracking and organizing the transient aircraft coming in and out of the airfield,” said Sobocinski. “After the aircraft land we are responsible for the safe loading and unloading of cargo and ordnance.”
Sobocinski credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Garfield Heights.
“Stay persistent and never give up,” said Sobocinski. “Those are the lessons that really made a difference for my career to this point.”
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 Sobocinski 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, Sobocinski is most proud of the respect he has earned from the people that he leads.
“It always makes it hard to leave a command when your guys don’t want anyone else in your position,” said Sobocinski. “It makes me proud beause it lets me know that I am doing a great job leading.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Sobocinski and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Sacrificing time away from family is the most difficult part,” said Sobocinski. “I am proud to be part of this team.”
“I came here expecting to do a particular job but ended up doing another,” said Sobocinski. “That has been both challenging and rewarding.”
Sobocinski, a graduate of Garfield Heights High School, is an aviation boatswain’s mate, handling at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“I am responsible for tracking and organizing the transient aircraft coming in and out of the airfield,” said Sobocinski. “After the aircraft land we are responsible for the safe loading and unloading of cargo and ordnance.”
Sobocinski credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Garfield Heights.
“Stay persistent and never give up,” said Sobocinski. “Those are the lessons that really made a difference for my career to this point.”
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 Sobocinski 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, Sobocinski is most proud of the respect he has earned from the people that he leads.
“It always makes it hard to leave a command when your guys don’t want anyone else in your position,” said Sobocinski. “It makes me proud beause it lets me know that I am doing a great job leading.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Sobocinski and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Sacrificing time away from family is the most difficult part,” said Sobocinski. “I am proud to be part of this team.”