Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Warrant Officer 4 Derek Jefferson, a Selma, Alabama, native, joined the Navy after seeing his uncles experience in the military.
Now, 26 years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Jefferson serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
“The most exciting and challenging aspect is the location,” said Jefferson. “This part of the world gets a lot of world interest.”
Jefferson, a graduate of Selma High School, is an information professional at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“Information professional chief warrant officers support the war-fighting capability and readiness of naval forces through leadership, technical proficiency, and experience,” said Jefferson. “We are the primary manpower source for technically specific billets not best suited for traditional officers. Using critical enlisted experience, we are committed to the continuous leadership, improvement, training, and mentoring of sailors."
Jefferson 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.
Jefferson credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Selma.
“In order to feel successful in life you have to work hard and never forget your humble beginnings,” said Jefferson.
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.
“Being responsible for communications in the form of providing internet service telephone satellite is integral in completeing the mission,” said Jefferson. “If you cannot communicate, you cannot operate.”
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.
“If you look geographically, Bahrain is such a small piece of land compared to the entire Middle Eastern part of the world, yet we are the home of the Navy's 5th fleet,” said Jefferson.
Serving in the Navy means Jefferson 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, Jefferson is most proud of how long he has been able to serve.
“I have served 26 years of service,” said Jefferson. “I started off as an enlisted seaman apprentice and now I am a commissioned officer. I started at almost the bottom and have been promoted eight times and achieved the esteemed rank of chief petty officer for five years and now a commissioned officer. I have had a very successful career overall.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Jefferson and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“To serve a career in public service is the epitome of being an American citizen,” said Jefferson.
“The most exciting and challenging aspect is the location,” said Jefferson. “This part of the world gets a lot of world interest.”
Jefferson, a graduate of Selma High School, is an information professional at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“Information professional chief warrant officers support the war-fighting capability and readiness of naval forces through leadership, technical proficiency, and experience,” said Jefferson. “We are the primary manpower source for technically specific billets not best suited for traditional officers. Using critical enlisted experience, we are committed to the continuous leadership, improvement, training, and mentoring of sailors."
Jefferson 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.
Jefferson credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Selma.
“In order to feel successful in life you have to work hard and never forget your humble beginnings,” said Jefferson.
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.
“Being responsible for communications in the form of providing internet service telephone satellite is integral in completeing the mission,” said Jefferson. “If you cannot communicate, you cannot operate.”
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.
“If you look geographically, Bahrain is such a small piece of land compared to the entire Middle Eastern part of the world, yet we are the home of the Navy's 5th fleet,” said Jefferson.
Serving in the Navy means Jefferson 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, Jefferson is most proud of how long he has been able to serve.
“I have served 26 years of service,” said Jefferson. “I started off as an enlisted seaman apprentice and now I am a commissioned officer. I started at almost the bottom and have been promoted eight times and achieved the esteemed rank of chief petty officer for five years and now a commissioned officer. I have had a very successful career overall.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Jefferson and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“To serve a career in public service is the epitome of being an American citizen,” said Jefferson.