Quartermaster 3rd Class Christopher Quinn has only been in the Navy for two and a half years, but he is no stranger to military life.  He grew up a military brat and traveled around the world at a young age because his father is in the Navy. With a great role model to look up to, he eventually decided to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Quinn was born in St. Mary, Georgia, but most of his life was spent in Japan where his dad got stationed. At 10-years old, he grew up in an entirely different culture that took a few years to get used to.

“I didn’t like it at first,” Quinn said. “You were very separated. You were basically a foreigner, and you’re kind of separated because they don’t know who you are. I had to learn and adapt to it or stay excluded.”

Quinn’s dad then got stationed in Guam and for most of his teen years he went back and forth living between there and Japan. He got to experience different cultures and languages growing up. He learned to speak Japanese, and he discovered a love for music in Guam.

His family then made their way back to the United States, and he finished up his senior year of high school in Washington. He received a musical scholarship to Washington State University but because of musical differences with an instructor he then decided to drop out. This led him to the decision to follow his father and join the Navy.

“I joined the Navy because I wanted to be better than my dad,” Quinn said. “My dad is a successful man, but I know I can do better. I hope I can do better.”

Quinn’s father has served for 24-years and is currently a senior chief on the USS Seawolf (SSN 21). Quinn said the running joke with his coworkers now is calling him “senior Quinn” since he aspires to be just like his father.

Quinn had all the intentions to follow the same path and become a submariner like his father, but because of physical limitations from playing soccer growing up he wasn’t able to. Instead he chose to become a Quartermaster.

“I love the opportunity,” said Quinn. “Quartermaster is a sea based rate. A big part of our rate is involved with being out to sea, but it’s more about the role you have. You have so many responsibilities on that bridge and you basically know everyone else’s job for the safety of the ship.”

Quinn plans to do his 20-years or more in the Navy just like his father, but he has big plans for after he gets out. With a desire to go back to Japan, he wants to get a job in international relations. He is currently working towards getting a degree to make these dreams come true.

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