MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Haofeng Haung, a native of San Francisco, California, is serving aboard USS Jason Dunham, a U.S. Navy warship, operating out of Mayport, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Haung, a 2019 graduate of Galileo High School, joined the Navy three years ago.
“After high school, I had to figure out what I really needed to do,” said Haung. "When I joined the Navy, I had the opportunity to pay for college."
Today, Haung relies upon skills and values similar to those found in San Francisco to succeed in the military.
“I learned to not do drugs and to not stop learning,” said Haung. "For me, everything is new and I learned a lot of things I would not have known."
These lessons have helped Haung while serving in the Navy.
Jason Dunham 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 Jason Dunham. 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 Haung 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.
“We get to show other countries how strong we are,” said Haung. "I think we do a great job of that on Dunham."
Haung and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am most proud that I made rank this year,” said Haung. "It meant that everything I did for the ship was recognized."
As Haung and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving to me means being a better person,” said Haung. "I wanted to change who I was and the Navy has allowed me to do that."
Haung is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I'd like to thank my dad,” said Haung. "When I decided to join the Navy and not go to college, he really supported me and gave me more time to figure out what to do with my life."
“I enjoy my job as an electrician,” added Haung. "After my contract is up, I am going to go back to college."