SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Bryant, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, serves the U.S. Navy aboard USS Manchester operating out of San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne |
Bryant joined the Navy seven years ago. Today, Bryant serves as a boatswain's mate.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to go to Japan,” said Bryant. "It worked out; my first deployment was to Japan."
Growing up in St. Louis, Bryant attended Fresh Start Academy and graduated in 2013.
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 Bryant 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.
“The Navy contributes to national security by our military presence,” said Bryant. “We are all over the world, prepared to help our allies if there is ever a need.”
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.”
Bryant and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest naval accomplishment is sticking to my mission and working hard to make sure everything goes according to plan,” said Bryant.
As Bryant 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.