YOKOSUKA, JAPAN. - Petty Officer 1st Class Johnny Lee Spencer, a native of Chicago, Illinois, serves in Japan aboard a forward-deployed U.S. Navy warship.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel |
Spencer graduated from William T. Taft High School in 2004.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Chicago.
“I learned the importance of having strong survival skills,” said Spencer. "I also learned the importance of effective communication to be successful. These lessons have served me well in the Navy."
Spencer joined the Navy 18 years ago. Today, Spencer serves as a culinary specialist.
“I joined the Navy because I had just graduated from college, and I wanted to see something different,” said Spencer.
USS John Finn, a guided-missile destroyer, provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments.
A Navy 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 John Finn 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% 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.
Spencer 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.”
Spencer has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is helping other people succeed,” said Spencer. "Somebody gave me the opportunity to be a better sailor, and I applied that knowledge to help other sailors. I have the pleasure of seeing them blossom."
Spencer can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy is a fellowship,” said Spencer. "In the Navy, a friend can turn into a family member."
Spencer is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my deceased mother, my aunties, and my godmother,” added Spencer. "They have been the biggest focal point of my journey. To this day I lean on them for words of encouragement. They don't understand anything about my world, but they can relate."
USS John Finn, a guided-missile destroyer, provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments.
A Navy 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 John Finn 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% 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.
Spencer 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.”
Spencer has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is helping other people succeed,” said Spencer. "Somebody gave me the opportunity to be a better sailor, and I applied that knowledge to help other sailors. I have the pleasure of seeing them blossom."
Spencer can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy is a fellowship,” said Spencer. "In the Navy, a friend can turn into a family member."
Spencer is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my deceased mother, my aunties, and my godmother,” added Spencer. "They have been the biggest focal point of my journey. To this day I lean on them for words of encouragement. They don't understand anything about my world, but they can relate."