GULFPORT, Miss. - Since 1942, sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Construction Force have been building and fighting around the world. Chief Petty Officer Susan Johnston, a native of Garden City, Kansas, is one of those sailors.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jeffrey Yale |
Eighty-two years ago, members of Navy Construction Battalions were fittingly nicknamed, “Seabees,” a play on the C and B initials. They are responsible for building military bases and airfields, supporting humanitarian efforts and conducting underwater construction projects. The Seabees’ motto is “We Build, We Fight.”
Johnston is a builder currently serving with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 at the headquarters for naval construction forces in Gulfport, Mississippi, which serves as a home base for the Atlantic Fleet Seabees.
Johnston graduated from Garden City High School in 2006. Additionally, Johnston earned an associate of science from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 2014 and a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2018.
Johnston joined the Navy 13 years ago.
“I joined the Navy because of all the benefits I heard about from a friend, like college, insurance and being able to travel,” said Johnston. “I emailed every single branch and the Navy was the first and only one to reach back to me.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Garden City.
“The lessons that stick with me are the work ethics I gained from the multiple jobs I succeeded at and became close to those I worked with,” said Johnston. “Those work ethics helped me progress in my career faster than the average person. Playing team sports helped me have the athleticism for the physical fitness we’re required to maintain in the Navy.”
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.
Johnston 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.”
Johnston has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud of the work we did in Afghanistan,” said Johnston. “We built living structures for other units who had been living in tents. The morale for those of small, forward-operating bases increased after we gave them an air-conditioned structure.”
Johnston can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy gives me pride and meaning in life,” said Johnston. “My dad has undying pride in what I do and for each milestone in my career, I have had my husband and kids by my side.”
Johnston is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom and dad, Connie Munoz and Mark Boos, for having the opposite outlook on my choice to join,” added Johnston. “My dad was excited and my mom was concerned. She was worried I would get sent to Afghanistan and that was the first place I was sent. I also want to thank my husband, John, for holding down the fort while I’m gone, and my kids for being supportive and understanding of the military lifestyle.”