SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 3rd Class Dane Hard, a native of Wasilla, Alaska, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41.
Hard graduated from Eagle River High School in 2020.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Wasilla.
“I’m from a rural spot in Alaska where we had to be creative with how we had fun,” Hard said. “Growing up there taught me to make the best of situations and see the positive in them. People from my hometown are also naturally resilient. Being resilient has helped me deal with difficult situations in the Navy.”
Hard joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Hard serves as a naval air crewman (tactical helicopter).
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to travel and see the world,” Hard said. “I also wanted to do something cool.”
Members of HSM 41 fly and maintain the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform. The Navy MH-60R is able to perform many different missions. Some of the most common operations include strikes on maritime targets, submarine hunting and attack, electronic warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuations and supply support.
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.
Hard has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am proud of earning my Aircrew Wings,” Hard said. “I am proud of that because the entire time I have been in the Navy has been working up to that.”
Hard 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 is a pretty cool job because I get to fly around all day,” Hard said. “I have always been drawn to being there when someone needs someone the most, so it means a lot to me to be in a position where I get to help people and protect what I love. It is very rewarding.”
Hard is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my team, Naval Air Crewman (Tactical Helicopter) 3rd Class Conner White, Naval Air Crewman (Tactical Helicopter) 3rd Class Gabriel Vennesland and Naval Air Crewman (Tactical Helicopter) 3rd Class Zander Widener for always being there for me,” Hard added. “They have helped me a lot.”