SAN DIEGO - A native of Westmoreland, Tennessee, serves the U.S. Navy aboard USS Boxer, which is homeported in San Diego.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sang Kim, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Seaman Logan Brown, a 2019 Westmoreland High School graduate, joined the Navy two years ago.
I wanted to be an entrepreneur, and my mom told me military service is the best way to gain the life experiences and skills to do that,” said Brown. “I also wanted to travel, and I've gotten to do a lot of that.”
Brown relies upon skills and values from lessons learned in Westmoreland to succeed in the military.
“I learned a more traditional mindset and to work hard from my hometown,” Brown said. “I'm a Christian and I take my spiritual life very seriously, so I try to help out everyone I come in contact with however I can.”
Boxer, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, commissioned Feb. 11, 1995, and is the sixth U.S. ship to bear the name. The ship recently completed a scheduled maintenance availability and is preparing for upcoming operations.
Boxer’s crew is made up of approximately 1,200 officers and enlisted personnel and can accommodate up to 1,800 Marines. Amphibious assault ships transfer Marines, equipment and supplies and can support helicopters or other aircraft, according to Navy officials. They also are capable of accessing 75 percent of the world’s beaches.
Serving in the Navy means Brown 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 the best deterrent against foreign aggression,” Brown said. “We secure the oceans for maritime trade and freedom of the seas.”
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 Brown have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“Character development has been a big plus for me,” Brown said. “I've learned more in two years in the Navy than I ever thought possible.”
As Brown and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“I get to fight for and serve my country while earning valuable benefits that will help me in my future civilian career,” added Brown.