U.S. NAVAL BASE GUAM - Lt. Erik Beason, a native of Allen, Texas, serves the U.S. Navy aboard USS Frank Cable.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel |
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Allen.
“I started working as soon as I was able to, so I learned to be independent early, which provided a natural progression to be more independent,” said Beason.
Beason joined the Navy 23 years ago. Today, Beason serves as a training officer.
“I joined the Navy because I always felt drawn to a greater cause,” said Beason. "I wanted something that would take me to various places around the world and teach me life skills."
Frank Cable, an expeditionary submarine tender manned by a hybrid crew of sailors and civilian mariners, provides critical maintenance capabilities to the U.S. Navy’s submarine force in the Pacific.
Frank Cable’s primary clients are the four Los Angeles-class attack submarines homeported in Guam, but the ship can also provide repair and logistic services to other Navy ships like cruisers and destroyers. The submarine tenders provide maintenance, temporary berthing services and logistical support to submarines and surface ships in the Pacific Ocean as well as the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.
With a crew of more than 600, Frank Cable is 649 feet long and weighs approximately 23,493 tons.
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Beason serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Beason has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of earning my commission as a limited duty officer,” said Beason.
Beason can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy can be difficult at times because everything can change,” said Beason. “But serving in the Navy taught me to be flexible, to improvise, and to adapt to almost any situation.”
Beason is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mom for always being supportive of me and being my anchor,” added Beason.