SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 2nd Class Desree Smith, a native of Florence, Alabama, serves in the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne |
“I wanted a new, more meaningful path in life and to experience new things,” said Smith.
Smith joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Smith serves with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN THREE (HSM 73) in San Diego as a culinary specialist, the MH-60R Seahawk.
Growing up in Florence, Smith attended Florence High School and graduated in 2014. Today, Smith uses the same skills and values learned in Florence to succeed in the military.
“I’ve learned to always be myself,” Smith said. “I grew up being around the same people all the time. When I joined the Navy, I met people from different backgrounds and ways of life, and learned new things but coming from where I came from, I knew to not forget my past and to stay true to myself.”
These lessons continue to help Smith while serving in the Navy.
Navy pilots and aircrew at HSM 73 constantly train to ensure they are prepared for peacetime and warfighting missions. According to Navy officials, the MH-60R is the most capable multi-mission helicopter available in the world today. It is used for a variety of missions, including hunting and tracking enemy submarines, attacking enemy ships, search and rescue, drug interdiction, delivering supplies and supporting the Navy’s special operations forces.
"The BattleCats of HSM 73 proudly provide advanced mission capability and readiness to America's Navy,” said Cmdr. Rich “Speed” Christoff, HSM 73 commanding officer. “Our sailors come from every corner of the nation and the world, bringing their expertise and fighting spirit to a unit that I'm extremely proud to command."
Serving in the Navy means Smith is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus, rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“We are always ready to defend our homeland and the American people,” said Smith.
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities, and capacity.
“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”
Smith and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm proud that within my first six months, I advanced to petty officer third class,” Smith said. “I’ve become very good at networking and connecting with new people and I’ve learned to adapt to a constantly changing environment.”
Even though Smith’s Navy career is very busy, family remains a top priority.
“I'm also very proud that I was able to start a family while performing my duties,” Smith said. “My daughter is the reason why I push myself and strive to be better every day.”
As Smith and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“To me, serving in the Navy means I can do so much in life,” added Smith. “I'm part of something bigger than myself and I help make a difference for someone other than myself.”