OAK HARBOR, Wash. – Petty Officer 1st Class Edward Schafer, a native of Trenton, Michigan, joined the Navy to do something that a lot of others didn't want to do.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Emilia Hilliard |
“The people here are my favorite part,” said Schafer. "This command is great because we hold our people accountable and they react appropriately."
Schafer, a 2008 graduate of West Trenton High School, with VP-47, a high-tech maritime patrol and reconnaissance squadron, is tasked with monitoring the world’s oceans in the state-of-the-art P-8A “Poseidon.”
“I’m responsible for training and mentoring 42 sailors within my division,” said Schafer.
Schafer credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Trenton.
“My parents instilled the idea to face whatever is ahead of you because it's not going to go away and to be honest because lying isn't going to get you anywhere,” said Schafer. "In the Navy you're given responsibilities that you have to follow through on and if you don't it hurts your sailors. Being honest with my sailors helps cultivate a sense of trust that shows them that being truthful may not be the answer they want, but it's the one they need to hear."
VP-47's primary mission is to conduct maritime patrol and reconnaissance as well as long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and intelligence gathering missions. They deploy around the world to monitor the world’s oceans wherever they are needed.
The P-8A Poseidon, the Navy’s newest maritime, patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, is a replacement aircraft for the legacy P-3C “Orion”. According to Navy officials, leveraging the experience and technology of the successful P-3C “Orion” with the needs of the fleet, the P-8A is designed to be combat-capable, and to improve an operator’s ability to efficiently conduct anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
As the Navy transitions to the full capacity with the P-8A “Poseidon”, the aircraft continues the work- horse tradition established by the P-3C “Orion”. The P-8A has a planned state-of-the-art open architecture mission system and next-generation sensors. These capabilities give warfighters added protection. The aircraft empowers the fleet with more combat capability, responsiveness, and interoperability with traditional manned forces and evolving unmanned sensors. The P-8A “Poseidon” has significant growth potential, with planned, phased-in technological improvements that extend global reach, payload capacity and higher-operating altitude.
“Working with the P-8 has taken me to places all around the world I've never seen before,” said Schafer. "Also, working on the aircraft gives me experience to work on similar civilian aircraft when I get out of the Navy."
Serving in the Navy means Schafer 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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Schafer is most proud of learning leadership.
“It makes me super proud anytime I see my sailors succeed," said Schafer. "Whether it's getting an award or anything they do to succeed."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Schafer 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 is about the people you serve with,” said Schafer. "When I see a sailor I've served with who has succeeded, it gives me a lot of pride."