YOKOSUKA, Japan – Seaman Apprentice Brandon Bache, a native of Billings, Montana, wanted to see the world, earn a retirement, get some health insurance. He said he also “wanted people to see me in a different light.” He thought service in the Navy was the path forward.
Now, just a year later and half a world away at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Bache serves aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur, patrolling one of the world’s busiest maritime regions as part of the leading-edge of U.S. 7th Fleet. “There’s never a dull moment, there’s never not anything to do,” Bache said. “There are lots of opportunities to learn about your job. I like the crew. Most of them become like family.” Bache is a trying to become a gunner’s mate aboard the Yokosuka, Japan-based ship, one of several in its class forward-deployed to the region.
“I clean, maintain and test all the fire stations on the ship,” Bache said. “We need to be ready to fight a fire at any given moment. If an emergency were to break out and equipment was unusable, it would jeopardize saving lives and saving the ship.”
Bache credits part of his success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Billings.
“Stay humble, ask a lot of questions, don’t be afraid of being wrong,” he said.
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.
“I like the culture here, things are very clean and respectful,” he said. “There are lots of aspects of Japan I appreciate.”
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 Yokosuka 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.”
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.
Curtis Wilbur 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 Bache 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. Bache is most proud of becoming qualified as ship’s helmsman.
“I feel like driving the ship is a big responsibility,” Bache said. “We’ve got to stay on course, be alert and be aware of unprofessional interactions with potential adversary, it’s a big qualification, especially for someone so junior to the ship.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Bache and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“The Navy’s a great opportunity for a person to help protect those back home and to learn a more diverse way of life,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot on the ship that there’s no way I would have ever thought to know … plus, there’s the respect you get when you go back home.”

Artcile by Jake Joy, Navy Office of Community Outreach picture by Senior Cheif Petty Officer Gary Ward