PEARL HARBOR – Petty Officer 3rd Class Caden Skinner, a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana is serving aboard USS Daniel Inouye, a U.S. Navy warship, operating out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Waite |
Skinner, a 2021 graduate of North Side High School, joined the Navy two years ago.
“I joined the Navy to experience all the cool things most people don’t get to experience as a civilian,” said Skinner. "I also wanted to get personal structure and discipline I knew the military would provide."
Today, Skinner relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Fort Wayne to succeed in the military.
“My family taught me to work hard and put in my all then everything will take care of itself,” said Skinner. “This has helped me succeed in the Navy because you definitely have to work hard.”
These lessons have helped Skinner while serving in the Navy.
USS Daniel Inouye is a guided-missile destroyer that provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities. The 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 Daniel Inouye. 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.
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."
Serving in the Navy means Skinner is part of a team 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 important to national defense because we are a little of every branch combined,” said Skinner. "The Navy covers every aspect of how we need to fight. We provide support to every branch and we are everywhere: boots on the ground, ships in the water and aircraft in the sky."
Skinner and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I’m most proud of being specifically picked to help two different ships with a specialized system,” said Skinner.
As Skinner 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 has been a big help in strengthening myself physically and mentally while also playing a part in protecting the country,” said Skinner.
Skinner is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I'd like to thank all my coworkers at Casa's on Stellhorn Road for helping me to become a confident worker,” added Skinner. "It has definitely helped me to succeed in the Navy."