YOKOSUKA, Japan – Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander Bilochenko, a native of Tucson, Arizona, was attending the University of Arizona on a full-ride scholarship, earning A's in his biochemisty major. But he decided he wanted more life experience, so he joined the U.S. Navy as a fire controlman, where he says it's “pretty rad” that he got exactly the job he wanted.
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| Photo By Senior Cheif Petty Officer Gary Ward |
“The days are long, it's definitely not an easy life,” he said. “I've grown a lot harder as a person, but I don't want an easy life, I want to make a difference in the world. I’m responsible for six personnel, and I don't just want results, I want to take care of the people that I oversee.”
Bilochenko, a 2015 graduate of University High School, is a fire controlman aboard the Yokosuka, Japan-based ship, one of three cruisers forward-deployed to the region.
“I’m work center supervisor for combat gunnery, responsible for the computer system used to shoot the 5 inch guns," he said. He also has to handle responsibilities as duty weapons officer, responsible for all the small arms, combat gunnery and combat missiles, and plays a part in the ship’s missile warfare certification program.
Bilochenko credits part of his success in the Navy to lessons learned while in Tucson.
“As a Ukrainian immigrant, I had my own apartment at 15,” he said. “I was already working at a restaurant and paying my own way through life. It taught me financial and time management. For me, I've learned to set time aside for work, for self care and for fun.”
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 culture is very different from anything I've experienced before,” he said. “I’ve already been to the Philippines, Korea, and I will visit more. It's been awesome to see a lot of the shrines and temples. They have a very collectivist culture here, and in the military, you are part of something bigger.”
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."
A Navy cruiser is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with a vertical launching system, tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns, and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
Approximately 300 men and women serve aboard the ship. Their jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the cruiser running smoothly, according to Navy officials. They do everything from maintaining gas turbine engines and operating the highly sophisticated Aegis weapons system to driving the ship and operating small boats.
Serving in the Navy means Bilochenko 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. Bilochenko is most proud of mentoring sailors.
“It's really tough out here," said Bilochenko. "It's one of the toughest duty stations possible. I like to talk people through that and help them learn some life lessons.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Bilochenko 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 a good stepping stone,” he said. “It makes you a better person, even if you don't like it. It's a bigger obligation than anything you've experienced before.”