Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Speranza, a Longwood, Florida, native, wanted the opportunity to have adventures.
Now, eight years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Speranza serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
“Operating logistics in a foreign country is very challenging, and has increased my communications skills for sure,” said Speranza.
Speranza, a graduate of Lake Brantley, is a logistics specialist at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“As a logistics specialist, I am responsible for seeking and utilizing supply chain solutions,” said Speranza. “Expediting the process and shipment of the Navy and Marine Corps’ highest priority assets while also providing status updates daily to the ships so they may plan maintenance and missions accordingly.”
Speranza 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.
Speranza credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Longwood.
“Growing up in Longwood and Apopka, Florida, I learned that well aimed hard work and determination will pay off,” said Speranza. “I also learned that being open to diversity will show you a perspective you would never have known without being open to it, and that your best efforts should always be improving.”
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 ships in U.S. 5th Fleet look to us to make sure they have the right parts and materials to continue their mission,” said Speranza.
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.
“There is a plethora of cultures here, and it's something I've really enjoyed,” said Speranza.
Serving in the Navy means Speranza 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, Speranza is most proud of earning his silver dolphins in May 2011.
“I'm proud of this because it pushed me past mental and physical obstacles I did not know existed let alone that I was capable of overcoming,” said Speranza. “Earning my dolphins officially made me a submariner.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Speranza 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 to me means achieving a certain discipline and maintaining it which serves as an example of outstanding honor and integrity in serving my county,” said Speranza.
“Operating logistics in a foreign country is very challenging, and has increased my communications skills for sure,” said Speranza.
Speranza, a graduate of Lake Brantley, is a logistics specialist at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“As a logistics specialist, I am responsible for seeking and utilizing supply chain solutions,” said Speranza. “Expediting the process and shipment of the Navy and Marine Corps’ highest priority assets while also providing status updates daily to the ships so they may plan maintenance and missions accordingly.”
Speranza 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.
Speranza credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Longwood.
“Growing up in Longwood and Apopka, Florida, I learned that well aimed hard work and determination will pay off,” said Speranza. “I also learned that being open to diversity will show you a perspective you would never have known without being open to it, and that your best efforts should always be improving.”
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 ships in U.S. 5th Fleet look to us to make sure they have the right parts and materials to continue their mission,” said Speranza.
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.
“There is a plethora of cultures here, and it's something I've really enjoyed,” said Speranza.
Serving in the Navy means Speranza 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, Speranza is most proud of earning his silver dolphins in May 2011.
“I'm proud of this because it pushed me past mental and physical obstacles I did not know existed let alone that I was capable of overcoming,” said Speranza. “Earning my dolphins officially made me a submariner.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Speranza 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 to me means achieving a certain discipline and maintaining it which serves as an example of outstanding honor and integrity in serving my county,” said Speranza.