by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerry Jimenez, Navy Office of Community Outreach
SASEBO, Japan — Petty Officer 3rd Class Drue Bardon, a native of Prescott Valley and 2016 graduate of Bradshaw Mountain High School, is serving aboard a U.S. Navy warship.
He joined the Navy two years ago “because many members of my family are in the military,” Bardon says. He serves as a mineman aboard USS Chief.
USS Chief is an amphibious warship. These types of ships embark, transport and land U.S. Marines for a variety of warfare missions. Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice, according to Navy officials.
As a member of the Navy, Bardon is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is important to national defense because it keeps us and our allies protected overseas,” Bardon says.
He serves in Japan as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.
“As the largest force in our nation’s front line against revisionist actors, U.S. Pacific Fleet meets this great responsibility with strength, resolve and confidence,” says Adm. Samuel Paparo, U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander. “Together with our joint and combined partner operations, we are positioned to defend — across all domains — any attempts to threaten our nation, our allies and partner’s security, freedom and well-being.”
“I am most proud of being the Blue Jacket of the Quarter and being promoted to petty officer 3rd class,” Bardon says.
As Bardon and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means you’re serving your country,” he says. “It’s not something to brag about, but it’s something that’s in my heart that I always wanted to do.”
Bardon says he is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my parents, my wife and my friends and family for supporting me.”
