SEATTLE - Petty Officer 2nd Class Latawn McCalebb, a native of Galloway, Ohio, 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 |
McCalebb graduated from Centennial High School in 2020.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Galloway.
“One thing that has always stuck with me is that a little bit of positivity goes a long way,” said McCalebb. “Staying positive makes everything better. This job can be hard, but staying positive can get you through when you have to do things you don’t want to do. As long as you stay positive, everything will be alright.”
McCalebb joined the Navy four years ago. Today, McCalebb serves as a fire controlman.
“My family has a tradition of military service and I wanted to be the first in my family to join the Navy,” said McCalebb. “My dad just retired from the Army, my mom was in the Army and my aunts and uncles were in the Army. My sister is in the Air Force. My whole family is serving or has served in the military. My dad just wanted me to join the military, so I picked the Navy to do something different.”
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.”
McCalebb has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of advancing to petty officer second class my first time up,” said McCalebb. “I was an underdog. I came into a system that’s getting phased out and I didn’t have any awards or anything, and I still was able to pass my exam and advance.”
McCalebb serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means a lot to me,” said McCalebb. “It was my only option out of high school. The Navy provides me with many opportunities and allows me to protect my country.”
McCalebb is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom, Pamela Smith,” added McCalebb. “I joined at 17, so without her signature and help I would’ve had to wait to join the Navy. She’s supported my journey. She’s supportive of all of us.”