With family in both the Army and the Marines, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Desiree Russell, a native of Chesterfield, Virginia, chose to serve her country through the Navy which has enabled her to travel the world.

Now, five years later, and half a world away in the South China Sea, Russell serves aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Force, patrolling one of the world’s busiest maritime regions as part of the leading-edge of U.S. 7th Fleet.

“Life is very chaotic and busy. We do get time to ourselves but most of it is busy, said Russell.  “The people on the ship are like family and close friends. You get to know everyone around you so much because you spend every day together. These are the people you have to depend on when things go wrong.”

Russell, a 2010 graduate of Manchester High School, is a Gunner’s Mate aboard the Everett, Washington-based ship, one of several in its class forward-deployed to the region.

“Being a Gunner’s Mate, I work with all the weapon systems on board; from the biggest gun, the 5 inch to a 9mm pistol. We make this more than a cruise ship,” said Russell.

U.S. 7th Fleet spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South. U.S. 7th Fleet's area of operations encompasses 36 maritime countries and 50 percent of the world’s population with between 50-70 U.S. ships and submarines, 140 aircraft, and approximately 20,000 Sailors.

Russell truly enjoys the unique opportunities he’s afforded in a region with so much to offer.

“Many people in the USA won’t ever get the chance to visit places like Japan and see the nuclear bomb site and the museum or go to a Coconut Festival in Guam and meet the locals,” said Russell.

With more than 50 percent of the world's shipping tonnage and a third of the world's crude oil passing through the region, the U.S. has historic and enduring interests in this part of the world. The Navy's presence in Yokosuka, Japan is part of that long-standing commitment.

Destroyers are warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. They are 510 feet long and armed with tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, Standard Missile-3 and newer variants of the SM missile family, advanced gun systems and close-in gun systems. Destroyers are deployed globally and can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, or amphibious readiness groups.

Their presence helps the Navy control the sea. Sea control is the precondition for everything else the Navy does. It cannot project power, secure the commons, deter aggression, or assure allies without the ability to control the seas when and where desired.

Momsen has anti-aircraft capability armed with long range missiles intended for air defense to counter the threat to friendly forces posed by manned aircraft, anti-ship, cruise and tactical ballistic missiles.

Serving in the Navy means Russell is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.

“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”

Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Russell is most proud of everything he does to train junior sailors.

“To see the progression and growth in myself and others is something you can’t take away,” said Russell.

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Russell and other Sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.

“Being able to serve and protect my family is a huge thing for me. My family means the world to me. While it’s hard being away sometimes, I know what I am doing out here is keeping them safe,” said Russell.

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