GROTON, Conn. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Robinson, a native of Litchfield Park, Arizona, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Naval Submarine Base New London.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Robinson graduated from Verrado High School in 2018.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Litchfield Park.
“Growing up, I learned to be calm in bad situations,” Robinson said. “In Arizona, it’s either blistering hot or stupidly cold. I worked outside a lot growing up, doing landscaping. Getting through a lot of that just came down to keeping calm and drinking your water. You can get mad at the situation, but there’s no use in complaining about it because the job still has to get done.”
Robinson joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Robinson serves as a master-at-arms in the Security Department at Naval Submarine Base New London.
“I joined the Navy because I figured it was better to be broke than broke and homeless,” Robinson said. “My parents loved me, but it was a good time to get out and spread my wings.”
What began as a naval yard and storage depot in 1868, Naval Submarine Base New London was designated the U.S. Navy’s first submarine base in June 1916. Known as the “Submarine Capital of the World,” the base is the homeport of nearly a dozen fast-attack submarines and is the site of the Naval Submarine School and the Submarine Learning Center, where more than 27,000 enlisted sailors and officers train each year to serve aboard submarines.
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.
Robinson has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of having my independence,” Robinson said. “The Navy gives you a lot of tools to be independent. I’m also proud of the people I’ve helped along the way. I’ve met some sailors who’ve gone to flight school after I’ve encouraged them.”
Robinson 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 my job,” Robinson said. “At the end of the day, either I’ve got to do it or somebody else has to do it.”
Robinson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my stepmom, Jill,” Robinson added. “I wasn’t doing great in my first two years of high school, but she gave me a push to go in the right direction. She wouldn’t let me be mediocre and wanted me to do something with my life. She was like that with all of her kids, and we’re all doing alright for ourselves.”