MAYPORT, Fla. - Royal Navy Lt. Julian "Jules" Caithness, a native of Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, is serving aboard USS Winston S. Churchill, 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 |
Caithness, a graduate of Kimbolton High School and Britannia Royal Naval College, joined the Royal Navy nine years ago.
“I was in the cadets at school, the U.K. version of the JROTC, and never looked back,” said Caithness. “I’ve always been a fan of all things military and I’m an old-fashioned Monarchist, so the choice was obvious.”
Today, Caithness relies upon skills and values similar to those found in the United Kingdom, to succeed in the military.
“I’ve learned to always approach life with tolerance, patience and to have a sense of humor,” said Caithness. “You should believe in the best in people.”
These lessons have helped Caithness while serving in the Navy.
Winston S. Churchill 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 Winston S. Churchill. 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 Caithness 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.
“From the U.K. perspective, as an island nation on the doorstep of Europe, we are the last line of defense against potential Russian movement towards the U.S.,” said Caithness. “The U.S. and U.K. alliance is vital in defending NATO and protecting our sovereign rights.”
Caithness has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of achieving my command qualifications and being selected for the U.S. exchange program in the same year,” said Caithness. “Winston S. Churchill has always had the Personnel Exchange Program and the navigator has always been British.”
Winston S. Churchill is the only U.S. Navy ship to have a Royal Navy officer assigned permanently to the ship’s company in honor of the ship’s namesake.
As Caithness 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 everything to me,” said Caithness. “The Navy is a lifestyle that I’ve grown accustomed to. It is now a part of my everyday life. It’s given me opportunities that I never would have had otherwise.”
Caithness is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my wife, Emma Dedman, for her love, support and tolerance of the demands of the military lifestyle,” said Caithness.
“I would like to participate in the further development of U.S. and U.K. naval training,” added Caithness. “I enjoy working with the naval personnel, and it’s good to see how well the integration is between the U.S. and U.K. Armed Forces.”