SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Gaesser, a native of Sandwich, Illinois, serves the U.S. Navy with Mine Division TWELVE operating out of San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne |
Gaesser joined the Navy nine years ago. Today, Gaesser serves as an electrician's mate.
“I joined the Navy because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after high school,” said Gaesser. "I thought the Navy would be a good way for me to establish structure. I also had never traveled very much growing up and I knew the Navy would allow me to see the world. That worked out pretty well; my first duty-station was Japan."
Growing up in Sandwich, Gaesser attended Sandwich High School and graduated in 2012. Today, Gaesser uses the same skills and values learned in Sandwich to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I was taught the importance of consistency,” said Gaesser. "In the Navy, you have to constantly put in your best effort to accomplish the mission."
“I joined the Navy because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after high school,” said Gaesser. "I thought the Navy would be a good way for me to establish structure. I also had never traveled very much growing up and I knew the Navy would allow me to see the world. That worked out pretty well; my first duty-station was Japan."
Growing up in Sandwich, Gaesser attended Sandwich High School and graduated in 2012. Today, Gaesser uses the same skills and values learned in Sandwich to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I was taught the importance of consistency,” said Gaesser. "In the Navy, you have to constantly put in your best effort to accomplish the mission."
California has thirty-two military bases within its borders, which is more than any other state. According to Navy officials, Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps’ bases are clustered most heavily around San Diego.
Serving in the Navy means Gaesser 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.
“The Navy contributes to national security by providing a presence all over the world,” said Gaesser. "When I first joined, the Navy's motto was 'a global force for good' and I think that's absolutely true. Since the Navy is global, it's a great preventative measure that stops anything from reaching our shores. We are the great deterrent."
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.”
Gaesser and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest naval accomplishment is commissioning the USS Manchester,” said Gaesser. "It's the greatest feeling to build a ship from the ground up."
As Gaesser 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.
“I'm proud to serve in the world's greatest Navy,” added Gaesser. "I'm proud to serve with all of my fellow sailors. I'm also proud to set an example to junior sailors. Since I've been in for a few years, I get to be a leader to junior personnel. What it comes down to is, serving in the Navy means I get to help people. That's what it's all about."