YOKOSUKA, Japan - Petty Officer 3rd Class Deryk Gannon, a native of Bel Air, Maryland, 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 |
Gannon graduated from Fallston High School in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Bel Air.
“I have worked from a very young age,” said Gannon. “Working hard and learning from a young age how to talk to people has helped me be successful in my time in the Navy.”
Gannon joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Gannon serves as a hull maintenance technician.
“I joined the Navy in search of a successful career and a different path than the traditional college route,” said Gannon.
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.
Gannon 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.”
Gannon has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am proud to say that in just over three years, I have had the opportunity to travel all over the East China Sea and I have seen so many countries I didn't even know existed,” said Gannon.
Gannon can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means being a part of something bigger than yourself,” said Gannon. “We get up and go to work every day to keep free trade alive and to keep the world's waterways open and safe.”
Gannon is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my dad, Derik, for being the best father and role model I could have asked for,” added Gannon. “He has taught me almost everything I know and I work every day to make him proud.”