SAN DIEGO – Lt. Christopher Yee, a native of Fremont, California, was inspired by family to join the Navy.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
“My dad inspired me to join the Navy,” said Yee. “He's a Berkeley police officer and deputy district attorney for Santa Clara County. Growing up I always saw him wanting to serve his community. I saw that and wanted to also serve my community and my country.”
Now, five years later, Yee is currently stationed at the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC).
“In my job I get to explore all the latest and greatest technologies and see how they can help fill gaps to increase the lethality of the U.S. Navy,” said Yee.
Yee, a 2008 graduate of American High School, is a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) at the training center located in San Diego.
“I'm in charge of amphibious mine warfare analysis," said Yee. "I identify all the gaps in the requirements we have as a warfighting community in those areas and we marriage technology and tactics to help fill those gaps.”
Now, five years later, Yee is currently stationed at the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC).
“In my job I get to explore all the latest and greatest technologies and see how they can help fill gaps to increase the lethality of the U.S. Navy,” said Yee.
Yee, a 2008 graduate of American High School, is a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) at the training center located in San Diego.
“I'm in charge of amphibious mine warfare analysis," said Yee. "I identify all the gaps in the requirements we have as a warfighting community in those areas and we marriage technology and tactics to help fill those gaps.”
Yee credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Fremont.
“I will develop myself in a positive manner and avoid anything that reduces my mental, physcial or spiritual growth,” said Yee. “That came from a martial arts studio that I went to for 19 years.”
SMWDC exists to increase the lethality and tactical proficiency of the Navy’s surface force. The command’s headquarters is located at Naval Base San Diego with four divisions spread across Virginia and California. The command is focused on anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, as well as integrated air and missile defense.
SMWDC conducts training and tactical level warfighting assessments to create a culture of tactical excellence by design.
There are many reasons to be proud of naval service, and Yee is most proud of being an amphibious warfare tactics instructor.
“I am one of more than 60 amphibious warfare tactics instructors in the Navy,” said Yee.
A key element of the Navy the Nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, 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.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Yee and other sailors and staff know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, serving as a key part of the Navy the Nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means growth and leadership both for myself and the people I get to be around,” said Yee. “Personally, I'm growing but I'm also helping others to grow as well.”