MAYPORT, Fla. - Chief Petty Officer Maston Buchanan, a native of Lexington, North Carolina, serves aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Nantucket, in Mayport, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
PCU is a designation used by the U.S. Navy to describe crews aboard vessels under construction prior to official commissioning.
Buchanan, a 2007 graduate of Central Davidson Senior High School, joined the Navy 15 years ago.
“I joined the military because I wanted to get out of my hometown,” said Buchanan. “I didn't want to go to college right after high school and I wanted to be more independent. The Navy and the military did that for me.”
Today, Buchanan relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Lexington to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I learned to have a good work ethic while I was participating in sports,” said Buchanan.
These lessons have helped Buchanan while serving in the Navy.
Nantucket will be a fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatant that operates in near-shore and open-ocean environments, according to Navy officials. Littoral combat ships integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.
Littoral combat ships are hybrid surface combatants that lead manned-unmanned teams using unmanned aerial systems like the Fire Scout and Expeditionary Ordnance Disposal forces unmanned underwater vehicles. They conduct forward and maritime security missions like the Secretary of Defense Oceania Maritime Security Initiative. The ships also strengthen partnerships through port visits in small island nations like Tahiti and Fiji due to their shallow-depth hull.
According to Navy officials, the path to becoming an LCS sailor is unique and challenging. The culmination of their 18-month training pipeline, sailors qualify on a virtual reality simulator that is nearly identical to the ship. This intense and realistic training pipeline allows sailors to execute their roles and responsibilities immediately upon stepping on board.
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 Buchanan 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 contributes to national defense because we keep the trade routes safe around the world,” said Buchanan.
Buchanan and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“Making chief was cool but at the same time, the people that helped me get here are what I'm most proud of,” said Buchanan. “My proudest accomplishment is watching the people around me grow. One of the coolest feelings in the world is when you get a phone call from someone you helped achieve a goal and they thank you for your help.”
As Buchanan and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“To me, serving in the Navy is a sense of accomplishment,” said Buchanan. “It means my bills are paid and my family is taken care of.”
Buchanan is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my parents, all of my previous commands, and both my leaders and subordinates, for all their support throughout my career,” said Buchanan.
“The Navy has given me many opportunities,” said Buchanan. “Most of which I would have never thought of had I not joined. You are limited only by yourself and the opportunities you are afforded to pursue. You can look at it this way, you can work for a minimum wage job and struggle to put yourself through college and have no real work experience, or you can travel see the world, get a paycheck and get a degree and be able to have a lot of valuable work experience while working in the Navy.”
“No matter who you want in office, without the military we would not be able to decide and vote for who that is,” added Buchanan. “At the end of the day, you may want “red” or “blue” but none of that matters without the red, white, and blue of our American flag.”