SAN DIEGO – Seaman Caleb Ekins, a native of Jackson, Michigan, serves the U.S. Navy aboard a U.S. Navy warship operating out of San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sang Kim, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Ekins joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Ekins serves as a gunner's mate aboard USS Shoup.
“I wanted to see more of the world and to travel,” said Ekins. “The Navy gave me that opportunity.”
Growing up in Jackson, Ekins attended Jackson High School and graduated in 2020. Today, Ekins relies upon lessons learned in Jackson to succeed in the military.
“My parents taught me to listen to others, to see if they need help or if something is wrong,” said Ekins. “In the Navy, helping your shipmates is alway beneficial and rewarding.”
These lessons have helped Ekins while serving aboard USS Shoup.
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers provide a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments.
A Navy destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
More than 300 sailors serve aboard USS Shoup. Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.
Serving in the Navy means Ekins 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 U.S. Navy can go anywhere, on seas and oceans, to protect our interests from those who want to challenge us,” said Ekins.
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 Ekins have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My favorite experiences are meeting new people and visiting other countries,” said Ekins. “I love to explore new places and learn from other cultures.”
As Ekins 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 that I am helping to protect friends and family back home,” added Ekins