SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 1st Class Brett Nielsen, a native of Eagan, Minnesota, was named "Sailor in the Spotlight" serving at Commander, Surface Division Eleven (COMSURFACEDIV 11) in San Diego.
"Sailor in the Spotlight" shows recognition to those sailors around us that are continuously working hard and staying motivated during everyday tasks.
Nielsen is a Navy electronics technician (ET), who is responsible for being the littoral combat ship (LCS) maintenance project manager.
"LCS gives me a chance to work outside of my comfort zone and expand my knowledge and capabilities beyond what would be available in the rest of the fleet," Nielsen said. "It’s hard work, but it’s good work."
COMSURFACEDIV 11 is a littoral combat ship surface warfare division of the San Diego-based LCSRON-1 squadron. It commands seven LCS crews and four ships – USS Jackson, USS Montgomery, USS Gabrielle Giffords and USS Omaha.
LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric "anti-access" threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft.
Nielsen is a 2005 Vermillion High School in Vermillion, South Dakota, graduate. According to Nielsen, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Eagan.
"Midwesterners place a very high value on hard work and dedication," Nielsen said.
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Nielsen is most proud of being a plank owner of USS Montgomery and being a key part of their first operational deployment.
"Being a part of the process from the beginning was difficult, but extremely rewarding," Nielsen said. "Seeing them over the horizon and knowing that I was a part of that ship was an incredible feeling."
“ET1 has continually demonstrated a deep knowledge of LCS systems and his experience on the crews has been invaluable to making the N6 team and Surface Division Eleven successful," said Senior Chief Electronics Technician Jonathan K. Le.
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Nielsen, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
"I enjoy serving this country because I love what I do, both being an ET and working with the people we do," Nielsen said. "We demand our sailors to operate above what is expected in any other profession."