MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Logan Borchert, a native of Gladstone, Michigan, serves the U.S. Navy aboard USS Paul Hamilton, a guided-missile destroyer.
Borchert joined the Navy three years ago. Today Borchert serves as an electrician’s mate.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to serve my country,” said Borchert. “I knew many people growing up that had served in the military and I always knew that people were going to serve after me, so I wanted to do my part and serve too.”
Growing up in Gladstone, Borchert attended Gladstone Area High School and graduated in 2019.
Today, Borchert relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Gladstone to succeed in the military.
“Growing up in my hometown, I worked a variety of jobs and one of the key things that I had learned was teamwork,” said Borchert. “Teamwork and team bonding have helped me so much in the Navy and accomplish so much more than I ever could have imagined.”
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 Paul Hamilton. 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.
As a member of the Navy, Borchert 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 the first physical line of U.S. homeland defense, preventing potential adversaries from using the seas to threaten the American homeland,” said Borchert.
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.
Borchert and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am most proud of making the rank of petty officer second class and now being able to guide the next generation of sailors,” said Borchert.
As Borchert 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 a great deal to me,” added Borchert. “It allows me to fight for the beliefs that my friends, family and I grew up with."