SEATTLE - Petty Officer 3rd Class Kongpheng Yang, a native of New Blaine, Arkansas, 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 |
Yang graduated from Paris High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in New Blaine.
“I grew up and worked on a farm for most of my life before the Navy,” said Yang. “The hard farm life definitely prepared me for the hard work expected of a sailor.”
Yang joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Yang serves as a fire controlman (AEGIS).
“I joined the Navy for the opportunities,” said Yang. “The Navy gives many opportunities to its sailors. Things like learning many new skill sets, traveling to new places and many more.”
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.”
Yang has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of the day I joined the Navy because I became part of the greatest organization made up of the greatest people in the world,” said Yang.
Yang 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 putting others before yourself,” said Yang. “It means being willing to protect this great nation from any foreign adversaries that may want to do us harm.”
Yang is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom and dad, Yang and Xai Teng Yang,” added Yang. “They were supportive when I told them I wanted to join. My dad said, ‘If it’s what you want to do then you should do it.’ Mom had to come around a little but she’s supportive now.”