SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 1st Class Dan Adamcyzk, a native of Clinton Township, Michigan, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Scranton, a fast-attack submarine homeported at Naval Base Point Loma.
 |
| Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sean Furey, Fleet Public Affairs Center San Diego |
As a submariner, Adamcyzk is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel continuing a 125-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Adamcyzk graduated from Chippewa Valley High School in 2011.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Clinton Township.
“Growing up, I played a lot of sports and learned teamwork,” Adamcyzk said. “I also learned that everything you get in life, you definitely have to work for; that goes along with having a good work ethic. I think both of those go in line with the military structure. It wasn’t too much different from what I learned growing up. The lessons I learned as a kid helped me conform to something new.”
Adamcyzk joined the Navy 13 years ago. Today, Adamcyzk serves as a yeoman (submarine).
“I joined the Navy because I was interested in free schooling and travel opportunities,” Adamcyzk said. “I felt like the Navy was a better fit for me. They kept it real with me.”
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 Scranton, 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, Scranton is only slightly longer than a football field at 360 feet long and 33 feet across at its widest point. Scranton 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, Adamcyzk serves aboard a platform capable of bringing the fight to enemies in defense of America and its allies.
Adamcyzk has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“One of the things I’m proud of is that I was in Bahrain for the Afghanistan evacuation in 2021,” Adamcyzk said. “We flew 8,000 Afghan refugees out of Afghanistan to Bahrain in C-17s and then sent them to the U.S. as part of Operation Allies Refuge. That was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Operation Allies Refuge, the largest non-combatant evacuation operation in American history, saw U.S. joint forces evacuate more than 120,000 U.S. citizens and Afghan allies from Afghanistan over the course of several weeks in 2021.
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 allows me to pay the bills and has given me the opportunity to travel,” Adamcyzk said.
Adamcyzk is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom,” Adamcyzk said. “I joined without telling my parents. They were upset, but after the first year, they were super proud. I’m thankful for their endless support.”
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 allows me to pay the bills and has given me the opportunity to travel,” Adamcyzk said.
Adamcyzk is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom,” Adamcyzk said. “I joined without telling my parents. They were upset, but after the first year, they were super proud. I’m thankful for their endless support.”