BOSTON – Command Master Chief Seth Miles, a native of Payson, Illinois, 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 |
Miles, a 2000 Payson Seymour High School graduate, joined the Navy 23 years ago.
Today Miles serves as a command master chief.
“It's a family tradition,” said Miles. “My grandfather was a Pearl Harbor survivor. My father was in the Air Force during Vietnam. I just wanted to continue the tradition of military service.”
Skills and values similar to those found in Payson are important to succeed in the military.
“I grew up in a farm town with a lot of hard workers,” said Miles. “I learned perseverance. I brought that into my Navy career and it's helped me succeed.”
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, Miles 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 provides freedom of the seas,” said Miles. “We have the ability to project the Navy anywhere around the world. We are here to protect the world's commerce.”
As Miles 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 is an opportunity to serve others,” said Miles. “Knowing that what I'm doing protects the lives of others that I don't even know, means a lot to me. I get the opportunity to humbly serve them.”
Miles is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife, Desiree,” added Miles. “She's supported me for the past 16 years. She held down the fort during my deployments and took care of our three kids.”
“If something is worth doing, it's worth doing right the first time,” said Miles. “This is a great motto to live by. Any endeavor you do, you have to be all into it at that time. It will help you be successful in the Navy.”