SASEBO, Japan – Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Kitchens, a native of Jackson, Mississippi, was inspired at a young age to join the military. He always wanted to be a party of a proud history. He decided the Navy was the best fit for him.
Now, five years later and half a world away, Kitchens serves aboard one of the Navy’s newest and most advanced amphibious ships at Fleet Activities Sasebo, patrolling one of the world’s busiest maritime regions as part of U.S. 7th Fleet.
“We are forward deployed so we are always on the go, it's a little chaotic but being a boatswain’s mate we are a part of every evolution,” said Kitchens. “It's always a learning experience.”
Kitchens, a 2008 graduate of Province High School, is a boatswain's mate aboard the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay in Sasebo, Japan.
“I'm responsible for getting the marines to and from the beach safely, I’m in charge of three small boats and five cranes on the ship and I'm the primary crane operator here on the ship,” said Kitchens.
Kitchens credits some success in the Navy to lessons learned in Jackson.
“There is a lot of adversity in the Navy but I was taught to fight through it,” said Kitchens. “I feel better prepared because I deal with a lot of adversity in the Navy.”
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 challenging being stationed here because we are out for a few months and come back for a few months,” said Kitchens. “It's the fastest way to learn your job because we are always doing real world activities.”
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."
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.
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied aboard Green Bay. More than 400 men and women make up the ship's crew, which keeps all parts of the ship running smoothly, from handling weaponry to maintaining the engines. An additional 700 Marines can be embarked. Green Bay is capable of transporting Marines and landing them where they are needed using helicopters, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and other water-to-shore craft.
Serving in the Navy means Kitchens 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. Kitchens is most proud of being meritoriously advanced to petty officer second class.
“I felt honored that they believed in me and acknowledged all the hard work that I put in,” said Kitchens.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Kitchens and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“It's an honor to serve because not too many people get the opportunity to wear this uniform,” said Kitchens. "I'm feel a lot of pride in serving my country. I’m honored but at the end of the day I just want to protect America and defend our freedom and make my family and friends proud of me.”
 |
| Photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward |
“We are forward deployed so we are always on the go, it's a little chaotic but being a boatswain’s mate we are a part of every evolution,” said Kitchens. “It's always a learning experience.”
Kitchens, a 2008 graduate of Province High School, is a boatswain's mate aboard the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay in Sasebo, Japan.
“I'm responsible for getting the marines to and from the beach safely, I’m in charge of three small boats and five cranes on the ship and I'm the primary crane operator here on the ship,” said Kitchens.
Kitchens credits some success in the Navy to lessons learned in Jackson.
“There is a lot of adversity in the Navy but I was taught to fight through it,” said Kitchens. “I feel better prepared because I deal with a lot of adversity in the Navy.”
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 challenging being stationed here because we are out for a few months and come back for a few months,” said Kitchens. “It's the fastest way to learn your job because we are always doing real world activities.”
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."
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.
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied aboard Green Bay. More than 400 men and women make up the ship's crew, which keeps all parts of the ship running smoothly, from handling weaponry to maintaining the engines. An additional 700 Marines can be embarked. Green Bay is capable of transporting Marines and landing them where they are needed using helicopters, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and other water-to-shore craft.
Serving in the Navy means Kitchens 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. Kitchens is most proud of being meritoriously advanced to petty officer second class.
“I felt honored that they believed in me and acknowledged all the hard work that I put in,” said Kitchens.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Kitchens and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“It's an honor to serve because not too many people get the opportunity to wear this uniform,” said Kitchens. "I'm feel a lot of pride in serving my country. I’m honored but at the end of the day I just want to protect America and defend our freedom and make my family and friends proud of me.”