YOKOSUKA, Japan – Petty Officer 2nd Class Braden Jackson, a native of Greenville, Mississippi, wanted to serve in the Navy to further his education.
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| Photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward |
“It’s interesting working here in the 7th Fleet,” said Jackson. “There’s been times where you expect one thing but something else happens, it's challenging.”
Jackson, a 2010 graduate of E.J. King High School, Sasebo, Japan, is an information systems technician aboard the Yokosuka, Japan-based ship, one of several in its class forward-deployed to the region.
“I manage the upkeep of the computer network and communications on the ship,” said Jackson.
Jackson credits success in the Navy to some of the lessons learned in Greenville.
“I learned to treat everyone the way you would want to be treated and just because you don’t really know someone, it doesn’t mean you can’t treat them the same,” said Jackson. “We all share something, you might as well work together and show respect for each other.”
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.
“It’s a hectic, high op-tempo schedule, you have to get into a routine to make it easy,” said Jackson. “Being deployed here will prepare you a little better than any other place in the Navy.”
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.
USS 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 Jackson 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. Jackson is most proud of being involved in a recent Supply Management Certification inspection on the ship.
“I was the main point of contact for supply department during that inspection,” said Jackson. “It felt good to know that I made a difference and that I was noticed for my hard work.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Jackson and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“I want to be involved with protecting our interest as a country,” said Jackson. “I want to protect our county and our way of life.”
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.
USS 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 Jackson 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. Jackson is most proud of being involved in a recent Supply Management Certification inspection on the ship.
“I was the main point of contact for supply department during that inspection,” said Jackson. “It felt good to know that I made a difference and that I was noticed for my hard work.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Jackson and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“I want to be involved with protecting our interest as a country,” said Jackson. “I want to protect our county and our way of life.”