YOKOSUKA, JAPAN. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Thang, a native of Warrenville, 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 |
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Warrenville.
“I was born in Burma,” said Thang. "I grew up poor and was influenced by my grandma's stories about America. She would talk about Abraham Lincoln and New York and the United States. I wanted to do something bigger for my family, and I chose to join the U.S. Navy."
“I was born in Burma,” said Thang. "I grew up poor and was influenced by my grandma's stories about America. She would talk about Abraham Lincoln and New York and the United States. I wanted to do something bigger for my family, and I chose to join the U.S. Navy."
Thang joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Thang serves as an operations specialist.
“I joined the Navy during COVID times, when everything was moving online, including college,” said Thang. "I did not want to attend online college so I made the decision to join the Navy for the many career opportunities."
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.
Thang 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.”
Thang has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of earning the rank of petty officer second class in about two years,” said Thang. "I'm also proud of traveling the world and visiting places such as Thailand, the Philipines, Korea, and Japan. I never knew I would live in Japan. I'm also proud of making many connections with people I have had the honor of working with."
Thang can take pride in serving America through military service.
“I was a refugee,” said Thang. "Serving in the Navy means an opportunity to give back to the country that allowed me to live the American dream."
Thang is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my recruiter,” added Thang. "I would also like to thank my parents for supporting me in my decision and for being there for me."
“I joined the Navy during COVID times, when everything was moving online, including college,” said Thang. "I did not want to attend online college so I made the decision to join the Navy for the many career opportunities."
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.
Thang 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.”
Thang has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of earning the rank of petty officer second class in about two years,” said Thang. "I'm also proud of traveling the world and visiting places such as Thailand, the Philipines, Korea, and Japan. I never knew I would live in Japan. I'm also proud of making many connections with people I have had the honor of working with."
Thang can take pride in serving America through military service.
“I was a refugee,” said Thang. "Serving in the Navy means an opportunity to give back to the country that allowed me to live the American dream."
Thang is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my recruiter,” added Thang. "I would also like to thank my parents for supporting me in my decision and for being there for me."