YOKOSUKA, Japan - Petty Officer 3rd Class Zachary Baker, a native of New Prague, Minnesota, serves in Japan aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship, USS Blue Ridge.
Baker graduated from Burnsville Senior High School in 2018.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in New Prague.
“I learned a good work ethic,” said Baker. "If you're coming in to mess around and not give a good effort, you're not going to have a good time. If you give it your all, everything else will follow."
Baker joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Baker serves as a hospital corpsman.
“I joined for a lot of reasons,” said Baker. "One of the main reasons was to learn American culture better. Growing up in Kilkenny, Ireland, we thought Americans might be loud, but we loved them."
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.
Baker 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.”
Baker has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I'm most proud of my personal development,” said Baker. "I didn't get along well with people, but now, with some of these Navy relationships I've developed, these are people that you’d do everything with and go to war for."
Baker can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Service teaches life skills I don't see outside this organization,” said Baker. "We experience different difficulties from our civilian counterparts. It might be frustrating at times, but it's valuable."
Baker is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I'd like to thank my leading petty officer,” added Baker. "I was still kind of troubled when I got here. He's helped me be a better man."