Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson G. Brown
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Master Chief Petty Officer Cateet Compton, a Hartford, Connecticut, native, wanted to find opportunity and travel the world with the Navy.
Now, 25 years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Compton serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
“The amount of partnership we have in U.S. 5th fleet is very unique,” said Compton. “All our partner nations come together to accomplish the same mission, which is something you don't see in other parts of the world.”
Compton, a graduate of Bloomfield High School, is a command master chief at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“As command master chief for combined maritime forces, I am responsible for all coalition forces here in Bahrain who are involved in maritime security operations,” said Compton.
Compton credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Hartford.
“The biggest thing I have learned from my hometown was to develop a strong work ethic,” said Compton.
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.
“I align the fleet commander's intent and directives with that of our coalition forces,” said Compton.
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.
“The isolation on the island is a challenging part of living here, as well as being away from family back home,” said Compton. “The culture is very unique, and I enjoy the food especially.”
Serving in the Navy means Compton 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, Compton is most proud of earning his master's degree using Navy resources.
“I never thought I would earn my master's degree in the Navy," said Compton. “Being able to graduate, as the first one in my family with a graduate degree, is very special,”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Compton and other Sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“The Navy has been a wonderful experience for me and my family,” said Compton. “Defending freedom and democracy around the world should ring loud in every American's head.”
“The amount of partnership we have in U.S. 5th fleet is very unique,” said Compton. “All our partner nations come together to accomplish the same mission, which is something you don't see in other parts of the world.”
Compton, a graduate of Bloomfield High School, is a command master chief at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“As command master chief for combined maritime forces, I am responsible for all coalition forces here in Bahrain who are involved in maritime security operations,” said Compton.
Compton credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Hartford.
“The biggest thing I have learned from my hometown was to develop a strong work ethic,” said Compton.
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.
“I align the fleet commander's intent and directives with that of our coalition forces,” said Compton.
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.
“The isolation on the island is a challenging part of living here, as well as being away from family back home,” said Compton. “The culture is very unique, and I enjoy the food especially.”
Serving in the Navy means Compton 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, Compton is most proud of earning his master's degree using Navy resources.
“I never thought I would earn my master's degree in the Navy," said Compton. “Being able to graduate, as the first one in my family with a graduate degree, is very special,”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Compton and other Sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“The Navy has been a wonderful experience for me and my family,” said Compton. “Defending freedom and democracy around the world should ring loud in every American's head.”