SASEBO, Japan – Ensign David Warrington, a native of Grayslake, Illinois, said he wanted to go see new and interesting places and find a career where he could get experience managing people. He thought he could find both in the U.S. Navy.
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| Photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward |
Now, a year later and half a world away, Warrington serves aboard one of the Navy’s most advanced amphibious ships at Fleet Activities Sasebo, patrolling one of the world’s busiest maritime regions as part of U.S. 7th Fleet.
“It can be quite busy,” he said. “There's always something to do, some watch to stand, but it can be pretty rewarding. You don't really realize it in the moment, but at the end of the day, you're like ‘wow, look at all this I did just one day or just one month.’”
Warrington, a 2016 graduate of North Central High School, is a surface warfare officer aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Wasp in Sasebo, Japan.
“I serve as division officer of the repair division, taking care of 22 sailors,” said Warrington.
Warrington credits some of his success in the Navy to lessons learned since venturing out from Grayslake.
“Punctuality is important here,” he said. “Everyone expects you to be there on time. Hard work is another one – it can be a pretty demanding job. Flexibility is important too, things are always changing on board and you need to be able to go with 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.
“The operational tempo is pretty high here, mostly because we're in a pretty challenging environment right now,” he said. “We're in a place with a very different culture, there's a lot of cool stuff going on, and if you really want to do operations, 7th Fleet is one of the best places to do that.”
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 Sasebo 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."
Wasp, one of the Navy's most advanced amphibious ships, is designed to deliver Marines and their equipment where they are needed to support a variety of missions ranging from amphibious assaults to humanitarian relief efforts.
Sailors' jobs are highly varied aboard USS Wasp. More than 1,000 men and women make up the ship's crew, which keeps all parts of the ship running smoothly, from handling weapons to maintaining the engines. An additional 1,200 Marines can be embarked. USS Wasp is capable of transporting Marines and landing them where they are needed using helicopters, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and other water-to-shore landing craft.
These ships support missions from sea to shore, special operations and other warfare missions. They also serve as secondary aviation platforms. Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice, according to Navy officials.
Serving in the Navy means Warrington 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. Warrington was proud to serve as a productive member of his first patrol.
“It’s a 40,500-ton ship that I was able to steer for four months in the East and South China Sea,” he said. “That's a fairly unique experience.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Warrington and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Service is a very important part of people's lives,” he said. “While it can be quite demanding, you're getting a lot back in return. By giving, you're also receiving in a way. And you're able to help our country. In doing that, you're helping yourself.”