SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 1st Class Samuel Leydon, a native of St. Augustine, Florida, 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 |
Leydon joined the Navy 12 years ago. Today, Leydon serves as an intelligence specialist aboard USS Shoup.
“I was part of the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program at my high school and had a master chief who was influential in my decision to join,” said Leydon. “I saw how he helped others and I wanted to do that as well.”
Growing up in St. Augustine, Leydon attended St. Augustine High School and graduated in 2005. Today, Leydon relies upon lessons learned from his hometown to succeed in the military.
“I am analytic by nature, and my dad influenced me to always ask questions and to figure out how to do things better,” said Leydon. “That philosophy has helped me to succeed in the Navy and to promote.”
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 Leydon 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 provides freedom of the seas to keep waterways open for commerce while protecting our national interests around the globe,” said Leydon.
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 Leydon have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am most proud of the sailors that I have mentored getting them promoted and becoming better leaders,” said Leydon. “For me, it is all about helping others to succeed.”
As Leydon and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Wearing the uniform means I am part of something bigger than myself and represents a commitment as a team to protect the freedoms of our nation,” added Leydon.