SAN DIEGO – Seaman Khalil Willingham, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Greeneville, a fast-attack submarine homeported at Naval Base Point Loma.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Caleb Kissner, Fleet Public Affairs Center San Diego |
As a submariner, Willingham is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel continuing a 125-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Willingham graduated from South Cobb High School in 2024.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Atlanta.
“Growing up, I learned to have a lot of patience,” Willingham said. “There’s a lot of waiting around in the Navy, so you have to have patience with people and situations. Even working with different people on the boat, you have to remember that not everyone was raised the same way, and different people were raised in different ways. Boot camp was easy for me because I didn’t take anything personally.”
Willingham joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Willingham serves as a sonar technician (submarine).
“I joined the Navy because I like being by the water and I did not want to go to college,” Willingham said. “I was on the game one day, and my mom asked me what I was going to do after high school. I said I was going to join the Navy, and I just stuck with it.”
Known as America’s “Apex Predators,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technologically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in support of U.S. national security.
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines, ballistic-missile submarines and guided-missile submarines.
Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines, like Greeneville, have been the backbone of the submarine force for the last 40 years, with approximately 23 in service. Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare.
Equipped with 12 Vertical Launch System tubes for firing Tomahawk cruise missiles, Greeneville is only slightly longer than a football field at 360 feet long and 33 feet across at its widest point. Greeneville is crewed by more than 140 enlisted sailors and officers.
Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Willingham serves aboard a platform capable of bringing the fight to enemies in defense of America and its allies.
Willingham has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of getting my ‘Fish’ (Submarine Warfare Pin),” Willingham said. “It means I’m qualified and that I’m officially a submariner. Having that means my shipmates trust me with their lives.”
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.
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.
“Serving in the Navy means everything to me,” Willingham said. “It gives me a chance to better myself while protecting the ones I love.”
Willingham is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom, Korrie, and brother, Kingston, for their support,” Willingham said.