MILLINGTON, Tenn. - A Georgetown, Indiana, native will return to San Diego from a seven-month deployment serving aboard USS Stockdale, a U.S. Navy warship that recently conducted operations in the Middle East.
“I joined the Navy because I was looking for a challenging environment that would develop my leadership skills and discipline while also giving me the chance to serve my country,” Sorg said.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Georgetown.
“You have to respect the people around you," Sorg said. "It’s important to build trust to work together, not just in the Navy, but in life and in general."
While on its seven-month deployment, USS Stockdale conducted combat operations against the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden, maintaining free and open sea lanes and regional stability. Stockdale also built continuing relationships with the militaries of Egypt and the Republic of Maldives, important partners of the United States.
“It took a highly skilled and well-coordinated team to tackle the challenges we encountered during this deployment," Sorg said. "Our crew consistently demonstrated their readiness to handle whatever obstacle came our way. I’m incredibly proud of myself and my fellow shipmates for what we've achieved this deployment. At the moment, you're not thinking about how what you're doing is affecting the world; you're just focused on doing your job. But looking back, it's fulfilling to realize I’ve had the privilege to serve my country on missions like this. It's truly an amazing and humbling experience."
Homeported in San Diego, Stockdale is a guided-missile destroyer and the third U.S. Navy ship named in honor of Vice Adm. James Bond Stockdale, an aviator who was awarded the Medal of Honor based on his service in the Vietnam War, during which time he was a prisoner of war for over seven years.
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.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Sorg can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy is more than just a career to me, it's a life-changing experience that has deepened my love for my country and respect for those who have served before me," Sorg added. "Through my service, I’ve learned invaluable life lessons, such as how to remain calm under pressure, be more organized and approach challenges with a sense of purpose. The Navy has given me a sense of pride and fulfillment, and it has shaped me into a stronger, more disciplined individual, with a focus on both my personal growth and my responsibility to others."
Sorg's parents, Gregory and Patricia Sorg, both reside in Georgetown.