SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 3rd Class Dianna Howze, a native of Montrose, Colorado, was inspired to join the Navy by her brother.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
Now, three years later, Howze serves aboard one of the Navy’s amphibious ships at Naval Base San Diego.
Howze, a 2016 graduate of Montrose High School, is a quartermaster aboard USS Essex, one of four Wasp-class amphibious assault ships in the Navy, homeported in San Diego.
“My main job is to ensure the safety of navigation on the ship," said Howze. "Another one of my jobs on the ship is celestial navigation. My master chief showed me how to find our position by the stars. Now we have little competitions. Me and the other quartermasters will each take a celestial fix and see who's closest. Farthest away buys candy and soda.”
“My main job is to ensure the safety of navigation on the ship," said Howze. "Another one of my jobs on the ship is celestial navigation. My master chief showed me how to find our position by the stars. Now we have little competitions. Me and the other quartermasters will each take a celestial fix and see who's closest. Farthest away buys candy and soda.”
Howze credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Montrose.
“I was taught to take everything with a grain of salt," said Howze. "My town was a really small town. The ship is a lot like that. Whatever you say about someone will eventually get back to them.”
“I was taught to take everything with a grain of salt," said Howze. "My town was a really small town. The ship is a lot like that. Whatever you say about someone will eventually get back to them.”
Essex is designed to deliver U.S. Marines and their equipment where they are needed to support a variety of missions ranging from amphibious assaults to humanitarian relief efforts. Designed to be versatile, the ship has the option of simultaneously using helicopters, Harrier jets, and Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCAC), as well as conventional landing craft and assault vehicles in various combinations.
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.
Sailors' jobs are highly varied aboard Essex. More than 1,000 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 1,200 Marines can be embarked.
Serving in the Navy means Howze 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.
America is a maritime nation, and 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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Howze is most proud of being meritoriously promoted to third class. That means she didn’t have to take the advancement exam or compete with other sailors for her promotion.
“My leadership felt I was really good at my job," said Howze. "The captain called me out on the bridge and handed me my new rank devices.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Howze and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means having pride in something that I do every day and wearing the uniform,” said Howze.