SASEBO, Japan – Petty Officer 3rd Class Joe Leyvas, a native of Phoenix, said he felt like he had to get out of a negative cycle he felt stuck in and wanted “better odds” for his family. He chose to give the U.S. Navy a try.
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| Photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward |
“It’s kind of like a roller coaster,” he said. “You've got your good, you've got the bad, but in the end you love the ride.”
Leyvas, a 2014 graduate of Premiere Charter School, is an intelligence specialist aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Wasp in Sasebo, Japan.
“I work with the fleet on intelligence imaging, to create a picture of the area for the battle space commanders,” said Leyvas.
Leyvas credits some success in the Navy to experiences growing up.
“Being in tough situations all the time growing up made my life easier later,” he said. “I probably wouldn't have even joined without all the turmoil. Learning how to be on my own was a big part of my willingness to go serve.”
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 Japan,” he said. “Not that many people get to join the military and travel the world. It's an amazing experience. We went to war with them, and now we're friends with them. It's amazing to see.”
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 Leyvas 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. Leyvas is most proud of playing a key role in his ship’s hurricane response assistance efforts.
“We got to help people in Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands,” he said. “We got people out of areas with mudslides. Helping people reach safety was very satisfying, and finding landing zones for relief supply helicopters was awesome.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Leyvas and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“The Navy is life-changing,” he said. “It sets you up for success, in and out of the military. Especially for people from my town, if you want to get out of the situation you're in, the military is the way to do it.”