MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 3rd Class Bryce Riley, a native of Dunnellon, Florida, serving aboard USS Farragut, completed a port visit to Mobile, Alabama, Feb. 13-17, to take part in the city’s annual Mardi Gras celebration.
Sailors aboard the ship brought with them the experiences and hometown pride that shape their naval service.
Riley graduated from Crystal River High School in 2023.
“In high school I had a senior chief mineman as an instructor, he would always tell us the body is weak but the mind is strong,” Riley said. “That quote has stuck with me throughout the Navy and has given me the strength and mindset to keep pushing forward.”
Riley joined the Navy over two years ago.
“Both my grandparents served in the Navy, and my great-grandfather joined the National Guard.” Riley said. “I wanted to follow them, see the world and get schooling I may have never received unless it was for the Navy.”
Today, Riley serves as a cryptologic technician (collection) assigned to USS Farragut.
“An amazing perk of being a cryptological technician are the many ways that I can take my career and support a variety of different fields in and out of the Navy,” Riley said.
Farragut is homeported in Mayport, Florida, and assigned to Commander, Naval Surface Group Southeast. Farragut supports multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities and is capable of conducting sustained combat operations across multiple domains.
Farragut is named after the U.S. Navy’s first admiral, Adm. David Farragut. During the Civil War, Farragut’s final victory was over the Battle of Mobile Bay in Mobile, Alabama, the Confederacy’s last major open port on the Gulf.
As the oldest organized Mardi Gras in the United States, Mobile provides a unique opportunity for sailors aboard Farragut to engage with the local community and showcase the pride and professionalism of the U.S. Navy.
During the visit, Farragut participated in a variety of events in the community, including marching in Mobile’s historic Floral Parade. In addition to several local outreach events, the warship offered public tours throughout the week, providing locals and visitors with a unique opportunity to step aboard and learn more about life and operations on a U.S. Navy warship.
Mobile’s annual Mardi Gras celebration with the U.S. Navy has been an ongoing and storied partnership going back over 100 years. Farragut has visited Mobile twice previously during Mardi Gras, and several officers and crew have family ties to this area. These port visits allow crew members to connect with the public they serve, share in national celebrations, and foster pride in their service and dedication.
Riley has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy was promoting to third class petty officer,” Riley said. “When I first joined, it seemed so far away. I never thought it would come, but it took a lot of hard work and time to get to this point,” Riley said.
Riley 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 the ability to have my little siblings look up to me and being able to support my family when needed,” Riley said.
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity. More information is available here: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/.
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.
Sailors aboard the ship brought with them the experiences and hometown pride that shape their naval service.
Riley graduated from Crystal River High School in 2023.
“In high school I had a senior chief mineman as an instructor, he would always tell us the body is weak but the mind is strong,” Riley said. “That quote has stuck with me throughout the Navy and has given me the strength and mindset to keep pushing forward.”
Riley joined the Navy over two years ago.
“Both my grandparents served in the Navy, and my great-grandfather joined the National Guard.” Riley said. “I wanted to follow them, see the world and get schooling I may have never received unless it was for the Navy.”
Today, Riley serves as a cryptologic technician (collection) assigned to USS Farragut.
“An amazing perk of being a cryptological technician are the many ways that I can take my career and support a variety of different fields in and out of the Navy,” Riley said.
Farragut is homeported in Mayport, Florida, and assigned to Commander, Naval Surface Group Southeast. Farragut supports multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities and is capable of conducting sustained combat operations across multiple domains.
Farragut is named after the U.S. Navy’s first admiral, Adm. David Farragut. During the Civil War, Farragut’s final victory was over the Battle of Mobile Bay in Mobile, Alabama, the Confederacy’s last major open port on the Gulf.
As the oldest organized Mardi Gras in the United States, Mobile provides a unique opportunity for sailors aboard Farragut to engage with the local community and showcase the pride and professionalism of the U.S. Navy.
During the visit, Farragut participated in a variety of events in the community, including marching in Mobile’s historic Floral Parade. In addition to several local outreach events, the warship offered public tours throughout the week, providing locals and visitors with a unique opportunity to step aboard and learn more about life and operations on a U.S. Navy warship.
Mobile’s annual Mardi Gras celebration with the U.S. Navy has been an ongoing and storied partnership going back over 100 years. Farragut has visited Mobile twice previously during Mardi Gras, and several officers and crew have family ties to this area. These port visits allow crew members to connect with the public they serve, share in national celebrations, and foster pride in their service and dedication.
Riley has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy was promoting to third class petty officer,” Riley said. “When I first joined, it seemed so far away. I never thought it would come, but it took a lot of hard work and time to get to this point,” Riley said.
Riley 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 the ability to have my little siblings look up to me and being able to support my family when needed,” Riley said.
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity. More information is available here: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/.
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.