VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The U.S. Navy owns many large submarines, ships and aircraft carriers that need to be protected when operating at sea and close to the shore. A special group of sailors is charged with protecting these Navy investments.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Klineizquierdo |
The Maritime Expeditionary Security Force (MESF) operates ashore, at sea and in the waters of harbors, rivers, bays and across the littorals. The primary focus of MESF is to conduct maritime security operations. They do this by providing port and harbor security as well as security for high-value units, like aircraft carriers and submarines, on coastal waterways and ashore.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Mason Bricker, a native of Tucson, Arizona, is one of these sailors serving at Maritime Security Squadron 2, which is responsible for protecting the Navy’s maritime platforms and port infrastructure.
Bricker graduated from Amphitheater High School in 2020.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Tucson.
“The biggest lesson I learned in Tucson is how to get hit and get back up,” said Bricker. “Tucson is not the most forgiving place, but if you learn to roll with the punches you can succeed. The same is true in the Navy.”
Bricker joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Bricker serves as an information systems technician.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to see the world and follow in my grandfather’s footsteps,” said Bricker. “He was a chief petty officer in the Seabees and he still has a self-reliant attitude that is very admirable and inspires me to be like him.”
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.
Bricker 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.”
Bricker has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My greatest accomplishment so far is being deployed overseas to Jebel Ali,” said Bricker. “We were running communication operations and being part of that was great.”
Bricker can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means I am finding a way to be my own person and also support my country,” said Bricker. “I’m doing the job I want and making my own path to get there.”
Bricker is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“My grandfather, Van Bricker, was so happy and excited to see what I was going to do,” added Bricker. “He remembers so many fond things about his service and he wants the same for me.”
Bricker has goals for their future in the Navy.
“I am working toward my rating certifications and I’m looking to get a degree in cyber security,” added Bricker. “I will start that in August and I want to continue to see more of the world and get the full Navy experience.”