SAN DIEGO – Seaman Apprentice Jonathan Webber, a native of Silver Springs, Nevada, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Scranton, a fast-attack submarine homeported at Naval Base Point Loma.
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| Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sean Furey, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
As a submariner, Webber is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel continuing a 125-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Webber graduated from Calaveras High School in 2017.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Silver Springs.
“The biggest lesson I learned growing up is don’t argue with a chief,” Webber said. “I’m the first submariner in my family, but my dad was a chief fire controlman, and my grandfather retired as a senior chief radioman. The chief is always right; you will never tell the chief he is wrong until he acknowledges that he is wrong.”
Webber joined the Navy nearly two years ago. Today, Webber serves as a torpedoman’s mate.
“I joined the Navy to provide for my son,” Webber said. “My dad always tried to dissuade me from joining up, until he died. He told me to live my own life, but I ended up following in his footsteps anyway.”
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, Webber serves aboard a platform capable of bringing the fight to enemies in defense of America and its allies.
Webber has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of getting through boot camp,” Webber said. “I didn’t fall behind and stayed in line with everyone else. I got my stuff done, and I didn’t get in trouble.”
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 to me means doing my job to make sure everybody comes home safely,” Webber said. “Theodore Roosevelt said, ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick.’ Serving means being the big stick when somebody needs a big stick.”
Webber is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my stepmother because she’s taking care of my son right now,” Webber said. “She’s providing for him, keeping a roof over his head and making sure he’s got his stuff done.”