YOKOSUKA, Japan – Seaman Apprentice Jazmine Norfleet, a native of Rockford, Illinois, said she knew she wanted to make a better life for herself and provide for her family. She thought service in the U.S. Navy might be the way to do it.
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| Photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward |
“Serving here is very eventful, a little stressful, but it's all for a reason and eventually, it will help you meet your goals in the end,” said Norfleet.
Norfleet, a 2018 graduate of East High School, is hoping to become a mass communication specialist while aboard the Yokosuka, Japan-based ship, one of several in its class forward-deployed to the region.
“Currently, I work alongside the culinary specialists, where I cook and serve food to my fellow sailors," said Norfleet. "I really like it. I think it's interesting to see how much work they do every day.”
Norfleet credits some of her success in the Navy to lessons learned in Rockford.
“When I was younger, I lacked self confidence and second guessed myself,” Norfleet said. “Coming here, having to be independent and do things for yourself, it's helped me a lot. I'm not all the way there yet, but I definitely feel the improvement and it's definitely a journey.”
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.
“Being around individuals that are so drastically different from people in the U.S., it's not something that you normally see at all. It's very unique, I like it,” she said. “I like the culture and their social tendencies. They're very respectful. I appreciate 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 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.
John S. McCain 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 Norfleet 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. Norfleet said she is proud to constantly drive forward and push herself to always work.
“I try my best to use the people around me to motivate myself,” said Norfleet.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Norfleet and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Whether or not you want to stay or make it short term, at least give it a try,” she said. “The Navy's using you, but you're also using it. Try to get as much out of it as you can. You might end up liking it, you never know. I love it.”