YOKOSUKA, Japan - Petty Officer 2nd Class Lenardo Owens II, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, serves in Japan aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship, USS Blue Ridge.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel |
Owens graduated from Towers High School in 2001.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Atlanta.
“Being from Atlanta taught me to not give up and to fight for what you want,” said Owens. "I learned resiliency and that definitely helped me a lot in the Navy."
Owens joined the Navy 11 years ago. Today, Owens serves as a logistics specialist.
“I was working as a band director at the time and was open to a career change,” said Owens. "I was interested in the Navy for the opportunities to see the world."
Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship in the Navy and, as the 7th Fleet command ship, supports an admiral’s staff that actively works to foster relationships with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
U.S. 7th Fleet provides security alongside allies and partners throughout a free and open Indo-Pacific. As the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet operates roughly 50-70 ships and submarines and 140 aircraft with approximately 20,000 Sailors.
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.
Owens serves in Japan as part of the forward-deployed naval forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.
“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.”
Owens has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of helping a junior sailor, his wife and their children,” said Owens. "He was transitioning out of the Navy, and I helped them transition smoothly to the civilian world. Moments like that are meaningful."
Owens can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means having someone's back and being there for them,” said Owens.
Owens is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my father,” added Owens. "He knew the Navy would have more opportunities for me."
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Atlanta.
“Being from Atlanta taught me to not give up and to fight for what you want,” said Owens. "I learned resiliency and that definitely helped me a lot in the Navy."
Owens joined the Navy 11 years ago. Today, Owens serves as a logistics specialist.
“I was working as a band director at the time and was open to a career change,” said Owens. "I was interested in the Navy for the opportunities to see the world."
Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship in the Navy and, as the 7th Fleet command ship, supports an admiral’s staff that actively works to foster relationships with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
U.S. 7th Fleet provides security alongside allies and partners throughout a free and open Indo-Pacific. As the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet operates roughly 50-70 ships and submarines and 140 aircraft with approximately 20,000 Sailors.
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.
Owens serves in Japan as part of the forward-deployed naval forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.
“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.”
Owens has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of helping a junior sailor, his wife and their children,” said Owens. "He was transitioning out of the Navy, and I helped them transition smoothly to the civilian world. Moments like that are meaningful."
Owens can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means having someone's back and being there for them,” said Owens.
Owens is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my father,” added Owens. "He knew the Navy would have more opportunities for me."