BOSTON – Petty Officer 2nd Class Tanner Schaefer, a native of Paynesville, Minnesota, is one of nearly 80 sailors celebrating America’s 246 years of independence while serving aboard USS Constitution.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Schaefer, a 2015 Paynesville Area High School graduate, joined the Navy eight years ago.
Today, Schaefer serves as an aviation ordnanceman.
“I joined the Navy to make memories, to travel, and to make my grandfather proud,” said Schaefer.
Skills and values similar to those found in Paynesville are important to succeed in the military.
“Growing up I learned stress management, to always expect the unexpected, and the importance of having a hard work ethic,” said Schaefer. “Stress management is important in the Navy because workloads can be stressful while we are underway. Expecting the unexpected is important because the Navy has a way of being unpredictable at times.”
USS Constitution is the U.S. Navy’s oldest commissioned warship, and the crew is hand-picked to promote naval history and maritime heritage while raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence.
The ship earned the nickname Old Ironsides during the War of 1812 after British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull. USS Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured or destroyed 33 enemy vessels.
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”
As a member of the Navy, Schaefer is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is important to national defense because it allows free trade across the seas and polices the oceans to deter adversary threats,” said Schaefer.
As Schaefer and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“It’s an honor to wear this uniform every day,” said Schaefer. “I have always seen the uniform as a sense of pride and respect. Now, I am part of the less than one percent of the Americans who chose to defend our nation. I am serving our country by whatever means necessary. It means that I have dignity and respect for the country.”
Schaefer is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank Chief Aviation Ordanceman Kevin Kelley for his mentorship and my parents, Carol and Terry, for their support,” added Schaefer. “I also want to thank my best friend and girlfriend, Kameron Smith, for all of the emotional support she has given me over the past eight years.”
The ship earned the nickname Old Ironsides during the War of 1812 after British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull. USS Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured or destroyed 33 enemy vessels.
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”
As a member of the Navy, Schaefer is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is important to national defense because it allows free trade across the seas and polices the oceans to deter adversary threats,” said Schaefer.
As Schaefer and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“It’s an honor to wear this uniform every day,” said Schaefer. “I have always seen the uniform as a sense of pride and respect. Now, I am part of the less than one percent of the Americans who chose to defend our nation. I am serving our country by whatever means necessary. It means that I have dignity and respect for the country.”
Schaefer is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank Chief Aviation Ordanceman Kevin Kelley for his mentorship and my parents, Carol and Terry, for their support,” added Schaefer. “I also want to thank my best friend and girlfriend, Kameron Smith, for all of the emotional support she has given me over the past eight years.”