Seaman Dominique Gordonhibbert, a native of McDonough, Georgia, participated in ROTC in high school, and enjoyed it. When school ended, she didn’t know exactly what she wanted to do, but she wanted to learn some new skills and travel the world.
“I was the first person in my family to serve in the military,” she said. “My dad was ecstatic, but my mom was a little scared. She’s grown proud, though.”
Now, just a year after enlisting and half a world away, Gordonhibbert serves aboard one of the Navy’s most advanced amphibious ships at Fleet Activities Sasebo, patrolling one of the world’s busiest maritime regions as part of U.S. 7th Fleet.
“It’s not too hard, it’s more of a mental challenge,” she said. When being underway, you can’t use your phone, can’t do what you want and walk off the ship any time. You work, eat, sleep. It can be hard sometimes, but I know I’m doing something to contribute.”
Gordonhibbert, a 2017 graduate of Henry County High School, is a ship’s serviceman aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Wasp in Sasebo, Japan.
“I’m a ship’s store operator, making sure all the shelves are stocked, records are kept, and the money transactions are taken care of,” she said. “It’s a big part of the morale of the ship. I also help out with barbershop and laundry. Everybody comes to the store, even the captain. We try our best to keep everyone happy.”
Gordonhibbert credits some success in the Navy to lessons learned in McDonough.
“My parents were very strict,” she said. “I went out, but I didn’t go out too much. I think that has helped me here. Everything my parents taught me has helped me out here. You find that respect and manners go a long way.”
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.
“It’s Japan,” she said. “The people here are very respectful, the food is very good, every day you go out and find something new.”
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 United States has historic and enduring interests in this part of the world. The Navy’s presence in Sasebo is part of that long-standing commitment.
“The Navy is forward-deployed to provide security and strengthen relationships in a free and open Indo-Pacific. It’s not just the ships and aircraft that have shown up to prevent conflict and promote peace,” said Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “It is, and will continue to be our people who define the role our Navy plays around the world. People who’ve made a choice, and have the will and strength of character to make a difference.”
Wasp, one of the Navy’s most advanced amphibious ships, is designed to deliver Marines and their equipment where they are needed to support a variety of missions ranging from amphibious assaults to humanitarian relief efforts.
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied aboard USS Wasp. More than 1,000 men and women make up the ship’s crew, which keeps all parts of the ship running smoothly, from handling weapons to maintaining the engines. An additional 1,200 Marines can be embarked. USS Wasp is capable of transporting Marines and landing them where they are needed using helicopters, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and other water- to-shore landing craft.
These ships support missions from sea to shore, special operations and other warfare missions. They also serve as secondary aviation platforms. 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.
Serving in the Navy means Gordonhibbert 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.”
There are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career. Gordonhibbert is most proud of recently earning her enlisted surface warfare qualification.
“It took a long time,” she said. “My board dates kept getting pushed, but finishing it made me feel proud. I can now say I’m part of the ship. I went to all of the departments, learning what they do on a daily basis. Now, when I see a certain flag flying on the flight deck, I know what that means. Now I feel like I contribute.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Gordonhibbert and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, contributing to the Navy the nation needs. “I moved to Japan when I was 19,” she said. “What other 19-year-old can say they moved overseas so young? I still have college to look forward to. There’s so many life skills to learn here. I don’t have much to worry about. I’m getting paid, I have health care, my chain of command is great, they help me out in every way. It’s more than a job. It’s what you make it.”
