SEATTLE - Fireman Lucas Funk, a native of Denver, Colorado, serves aboard USS Barry, a U.S. Navy warship homeported at Naval Station Everett, Washington. The ship is currently in a Seattle shipyard undergoing routine maintenance.
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Photo by Ensign Siennah Spriggs |
Funk graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 2013.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Denver.
“Working in food service for 13 years taught me a lot about being an adult,” said Funk. “It gave me a strong work ethic and taught me a lot of patience, both of which are needed in my day-to-day life in the Navy.”
Funk joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Funk serves as a damage controlman.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to serve my country and because the military has played a major role in my family’s history,” said Funk. “A lot of my family – my brother, uncles, cousins, grandfather and my great-grandpa – have been in the military, mostly Army. I’m the first to do something different and join the Navy. I was also working in restaurants and wanted a change.”
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 Barry. 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.
“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.”
Funk has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I haven’t been in the Navy very long, so my proudest moment is just the fact that I joined,” said Funk.
Funk serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“The Navy makes me proud to serve my country while learning skills along the way,” said Funk.
Funk is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I want to thank my parents, George and Julie Funk, for raising me,” added Funk. “My brother, Seth, did the whole military thing. He talked me into it. He said, ‘Go see the world and learn stuff and meet people.’ I also want to thank my sisters, Brenna and Kira, and my younger brother Jesse, for their love and support.”