YOKOSUKA, Japan – Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Brubaker, a native of Concord, Virginia, said he wanted to see the world and get a military job that would give him the kind of in-demand skills to propel him in civilian life later. He chose to become a sailor.
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| Photo By Senior Cheif Petty Officer Gary Ward |
“We’re always busy, always moving, it can be good and bad at times, depending on the time of day, the day of the week and what kind of mission we're on,” said Brubaker.
Brubaker, a 2011 graduate of Rustburg High School, is a gas turbine systems technician (mechanical) aboard the Yokosuka, Japan-based ship, one of several in its class forward-deployed to the region, where he said he has responsibility for maintenance of turbine engines on the ship and the equipment related to it like fuel and propulsion systems.
Brubaker credits part of his success in the Navy to lessons learned in Concord.
“Treat others the way you want to be treated,” he said. “Treat people with kindness. Even if they're not kind people, give them a glimpse of something better and see if they take to it.”
U.S. 7th Fleet spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South. U.S. 7th Fleet's area of operations encompasses 36 maritime countries and 50 percent of the world’s population with between 50-70 U.S. ships and submarines, 140 aircraft, and approximately 20,000 sailors.
“I finally get to see Asia for the first time,” Brubaker said. “The people and culture is different, most of them are friendly, the food is amazing, there are so many activities and things you can do here that you can't do anywhere else.”
With more than 50 percent of the world's shipping tonnage and a third of the world's crude oil passing through the region, the United States has historic and enduring interests in this part of the world. The Navy's presence in Yokosuka is part of that long-standing commitment.
"The Navy is forward-deployed to provide security and strengthen relationships in a free and open Indo-Pacific. It's not just the ships and aircraft that have shown up to prevent conflict and promote peace," said Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. "It is, and will continue to be our people who define the role our Navy plays around the world. People who've made a choice, and have the will and strength of character to make a difference."
Destroyers are warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. They are 510 feet long and armed with tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, Standard Missile-3 and newer variants of the SM missile family, advanced gun systems and close-in gun systems.
Destroyers are deployed globally and can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, or amphibious readiness groups. Their presence helps the Navy control the sea. Sea control is the precondition for everything else the Navy does. It cannot project power, secure the commons, deter aggression, or assure allies without the ability to control the seas when and where desired.
Curtis Wilbur has anti-aircraft capability armed with long range missiles intended for air defense to counter the threat to friendly forces posed by manned aircraft, anti-ship, cruise and tactical ballistic missiles.
Serving in the Navy means Brubaker 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 the nation needs 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.”
There are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career. Brubaker is most proud of becoming a third class petty officer.
“It means I'm putting in the work and time I need to know my job to the best proficiency I can, and it means I'm doing better on the job and am more able to lead junior sailors in doing the same,” said Brubaker.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Brubaker and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Joining the Navy, you get to work in a close-knit environment with people you see every day,” Brubaker said. “You get to learn about them and how they were brought up and see the differences. You meet lifelong friends and build a good work ethic and learn something you'd pay a fortune to learn back home. The Navy will pay for it, and later, you can get out and provide your family with a future.”