SAN DIEGO - A native of Calabasas, California, is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided-missile cruiser, USS Cowpens.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sang Kim, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Petty Officer 2nd Class Kidder Hatfield, a 2011 Calabasas High School graduate, joined the Navy 10 years ago.
“I wanted to see the world,” said Hatfield. “I thought the Navy would be a good opportunity for me to experience more in life.”
Today, Hatfield serves as a damage controlman.
A damage controlman is responsible for supervising the maintenance of all the firefighting equipment and to train the ship's crew on safe firefighting procedures.
Hatfield relies upon skills and values from lessons learned in Calabasas to succeed in the military.
“My mother instilled in me that there is no substitute for hard work,” said Hatfield. “I think that has helped me to succeed in the Navy.”
Homeported in San Diego, California, USS Cowpens is named after the Revolutionary War Battle of Cowpens, a major American victory near Cowpens, South Carolina. The historic battle weakened British attempts to wrest the southern colonies from American control.
Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers are tactical multi-mission surface combatants capable of conducting anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, as well as humanitarian assistance, according to Navy officials.
Fast, maneuverable, and technically advanced, cruisers provide the required warfighting expertise and operational flexibility to execute any task overseas.
Serving in the Navy means Hatfield is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is uniquely capable of handling major threats to our nation on a global scale,” said Hatfield.
More than 90 percent of all trade travels by sea, and fiber optic cables on the ocean floor carry 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic.
Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to ready sailors and a strong Navy.
“Maintaining the world’s best Navy is an investment in the security and prosperity of the United States, as well as the stability of our world,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations.
“The U.S. Navy – forward deployed and integrated with all elements of national power – deters conflict, strengthens our alliances and partnerships and guarantees free and open access to the world’s oceans. As the United States responds to the security environment through integrated deterrence, our Navy must continue to deploy forward and campaign with a ready, capable, combat-credible fleet.”
“The Surface Force will continue to meet the challenge of strategic competition and respond to the realities of the modern security environment,” said Commander of Naval Surface Forces Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener. “ Our efforts are critical to preserve freedom of the seas, deter aggression and win wars.”
Sailors like Hatfield have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest moment in the Navy was graduating from Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense School,” said Hatfield. “It was a difficult school, but I made it through.”
As Hatfield and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means I am doing my part to protect my family and community,” added Hatfield.