MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 1st Class Shawn Huddleston, a native of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, serves aboard one of the country’s most versatile combat ships, USS St. Louis, operating out of Mayport, Florida.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Huddleston, a 2011 graduate of Scottsbluff High School, joined the Navy 12 years ago.
“I have a family history of military service,” said Huddleston. "I always knew I wanted to join the military. It was just a question of which branch."
Today, Huddleston relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Scottsbluff to succeed in the military.
“Sports were very important in my hometown,” said Huddleston. "I learned how to be part of a team. The Navy is very much like a sports team."
These lessons have helped Huddleston while serving in the Navy.
St. Louis is 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 Huddleston 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 the most important branch to National Defense since it controls the seas and gives us the greatest reach around the world,” said Huddleston.
Huddleston and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy has been the opportunity to lead as I've been led,” said Huddleston. "I've had leaders who taught me how to take care of people and lead with a cool head."
As Huddleston and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Service in the Navy to me means that I'm paying my price to be a citizen of the United States,” said Huddleston. "My family history with the military taught me that this is how I pay for my freedom. I will be attending Surface Rescue Swimmer school this summer to become a search and rescue swimmer for USS St. Louis.”
Huddleston is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I'd like to thank my mom and dad, Robin and Mark Loose, who supported my decision to join the Navy,” added Huddleston. "I'd especially like to thank my wife, Amanda, for continuing to support me and my career. My wife and I are expecting our first baby in November.”