Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson G. Brown
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Master Chief Petty Officer Dayna Winn, a Skipwith, Virginia, native, joined the Navy to continue a family history of military service.
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Master Chief Petty Officer Dayna Winn, a Skipwith, Virginia, native, joined the Navy to continue a family history of military service.
“I have a grandfather and a great uncle who served and just seeing photos of how proud they looked in uniform was my influence to serve in the Navy,” said Winn.
Now, 27 years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Winn serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
“The most exciting part of being here is working with other sailors and experiencing the culture,” said Winn.
Winn, a graduate of Bluestone Senior High School, is a command master chief at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“I'm responsible for the health and welfare of the sailors, and providing invaluable insight to the commanding officer on all enlisted matters within the command,” said Winn.
Now, 27 years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Winn serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
“The most exciting part of being here is working with other sailors and experiencing the culture,” said Winn.
Winn, a graduate of Bluestone Senior High School, is a command master chief at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“I'm responsible for the health and welfare of the sailors, and providing invaluable insight to the commanding officer on all enlisted matters within the command,” said Winn.
Winn credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Skipwith.
“I grew up in a small town where you had to work hard just to get by and family meant everything,” said Winn. “I think that work ethic and treating everyone in the military as family has led to my success.”
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.
“Taking care of the sailors and their needs is very important,” said Winn. “If they are not mentally ready how can they focus on their jobs.”
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.
“It is unique to be this far away from home,” said Winn. “I am thankful to have my family with me on this journey to experience everything this area of operation has to offer.”
Serving in the Navy means Winn 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, Winn is most proud of mentoring junior sailors.
“My proudest moments are when I run into sailors who thank me for being there for them,” said Winn. “It is the reinforcement that keeps me going after all these years.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Winn 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 military is an opportunity to give back to a community that helped raise and develop me into the person I am today," said Winn.
“I grew up in a small town where you had to work hard just to get by and family meant everything,” said Winn. “I think that work ethic and treating everyone in the military as family has led to my success.”
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.
“Taking care of the sailors and their needs is very important,” said Winn. “If they are not mentally ready how can they focus on their jobs.”
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.
“It is unique to be this far away from home,” said Winn. “I am thankful to have my family with me on this journey to experience everything this area of operation has to offer.”
Serving in the Navy means Winn 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, Winn is most proud of mentoring junior sailors.
“My proudest moments are when I run into sailors who thank me for being there for them,” said Winn. “It is the reinforcement that keeps me going after all these years.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Winn 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 military is an opportunity to give back to a community that helped raise and develop me into the person I am today," said Winn.