Walking down towards ship's laundry the scent of freshly cleaned linens bombards your nose and when you come through the door a smiling face greets you. That smiling face is Petty Officer Ieong Chan assigned to the Supply Department aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5).

Raised in Macau, China, Chan's parents emigrated to the U.S. in 2000 where Chan attended and graduated from Valley Stream High School in Queens, NY in 2003.

Due to his family's limited resources, Chan knew that he didn't want to go into debt to pay for college.

"One day, a recruiter came to my high school saying that the Navy will pay for college," remarked Chan. "That's why I joined the Navy. I joined the strictly for college."

The Navy provided Chan the opportunity he had been looking for and now has an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts and would like to continue his education after the Navy by getting his Master of Business Administration in Business Management.

"When I moved to the U.S., everything changed. I saw people in my community without higher education. I knew I could do more for myself. Chan stated. "So, that's why I work hard and the Navy treats me well. They've given me a lot of training over the past 13 years."

Chan goes on to explain that the things he has now such as his house, car, rank and knowledge he owes to the Navy. As an integral part of supply department's, S3 division, his hard work and perseverance helps to keep ship's morale as high as possible by giving its patrons a little piece of home when they are anything but close. The S3 division of supply operates the ship's store, vending machines, barber shop and laundry service. All of the proceeds from the store and vending machines go directly to the ship's Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) fund. This money helps to fund tours, parties, game and karaoke nights and other fun activities for Sailors while in port and out at sea.

When asked about Chan, his divisional officer speaks highly of him saying, "he is a meticulous leader who cares about his junior Sailors and challenges them to achieve greatness. Chan's best qualities are his drive, professionalism, and knowledge of rate. He has a motor that does not stop until the task at hand is complete."It's these qualities and the many other responsibilities that Chan holds that make him a spectacular petty officer first class.

"I have a lot of side jobs and that's what I like about the Navy," Chan began. "You have a main job and you also have collateral duties." One of Chan's collateral duties is a command financial specialist, meaning Sailors can seek out for financial education. "I will figure out what they need and give them guidance."

Chan also acts as a mentor to his junior Sailors and tries to point them in the right direction in their lives and in their work.

"Change won't happen overnight because it's different people and different backgrounds. I have to understand them first and then I can approach them differently, Chan explains They may not always agree with what I have to say but when they see senior leadership recognizing their efforts it's a nice reward."

This Sailor's dedication, leadership, and positive attitude are what help the Navy to continue its mission and provide an example to future Sailors including those working under him that help make #BataanAwesome.


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