YOKOSUKA, Japan — Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Kimberly Yap, of San Diego, serves her country abroad with Naval Supply Systems Command’s (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka, Japan.
Yap is a 2013 graduate of Botolan National High School in Luzon, Philippines. She is currently exploring using her educational benefits to take courses in culinary school.
The educational opportunities and benefits were one of the things she carefully considered before deciding to enlist in 2020.
“My uncle also served in the Navy, and my parents and I heard lots of stories about his experiences that inspired me,” Yap said. “My parents were so proud when I became a sailor – they told me they believed in me, that they always knew I could do it and that they were here to support me.”
Yap’s first operational assignment was with a squadron at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The squadron was then assigned to an aircraft carrier in San Diego, where she completed three deployments over the course of her first five-year tour.
The experience of serving aboard an aircraft carrier with approximately 5,000 personnel helped her appreciate the importance of her job as a culinary specialist. She saw her role as not only feeding a hungry crew, but in helping keep morale high.
“Things are tough during deployment,” Yap said. “Something as simple as baking cookies can make someone in line smile, and everyone gets excited about Sunday brunch. A lot of hard work goes into getting meals ready, but it’s kind of fun to see people really happy.”
Since coming to Yokosuka, Japan, a year ago, Yap has taken the time to explore.
As a culinary specialist, she enjoys trying out Japan’s famous food scenes.
“I really love it here,” Yap said. “The culture is amazing. My favorite food here is definitely ramen – I eat it every week.”
NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka is the Western Pacific’s largest U.S. Navy logistics command. From its headquarters near Truman Bay, about 26 miles (41 kilometers) south of Tokyo, the command oversees a network of more than 20 detachments and sites stretching from Misawa, Japan, to Stirling, Australia, and from Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to Guam. Together, these locations provide logistics support to the Navy, Marine Corps and other Department of War and federal activities within the 7th Fleet area of operations.
NAVSUP, headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, employs more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel who provide supply, acquisition and logistics support to the Navy and joint forces worldwide.
“I want to thank my parents, Nora and Donner Yap, and my uncle, Rafael, for their love and support,” Yap said. “Their belief and support allows me to do what I do.”