Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Rae Moreno
ROTA, Spain – A 1997 Wake Forrest-Rolesville High School graduate and Jacksonville, Florida, native is serving our country in the Navy, living on the coast of Spain, and participating in a critical NATO ballistic missile defense (BMD) mission while assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook.
A Navy chief boatswain's mate is responsible for the training and qualification of all sailors in the search and rescue, boat operations, seamanship and ship handling.
Force credits success in the Navy with lessons learned growing up in Jacksonville.
“Growing up, I learned to work hard and do the job right the first time,” said Force.
These four destroyers are forward-deployed in Rota to fulfill the United States’ phased commitment to NATO BMD while also carrying out a wide range of missions to support the security of Europe.
According to the NATO website, many countries have, or are trying to develop ballistic missiles. The ability to acquire these capabilities does not necessarily mean there is an immediate intent to attack NATO, but that the alliance has a responsibility to take any possible threat into account as part of its core task of collective defense.
U.S. Navy Aegis ballistic missile defense provides scalability, flexibility and mobility. These systems are equally beneficial to U.S. assets, allies and regional partners in all areas of the world. Positioning four ballistic missile defense ships in Spain provides an umbrella of protection to forward-deployed forces, friends and allies while contributing to a broader defense of the United States.
Guided-missile destroyers are 510 feet long warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. The ships are armed with tomahawk cruise missiles, advanced gun systems, close-in gun systems and long-range missiles to counter the threat to friendly forces posed by manned aircraft, anti-ship, cruise and tactical ballistic missiles.
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 necessity for everything the Navy does. The Navy cannot project power, secure the commons, deter aggression, or assure allies without the ability to control the seas when and where desired.
The ship is named after Medal of Honor recipient and Vietnam prisoner of war, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Donald G. Cook.
“Donald Cook’s crew is second to none in competency, resiliency and enthusiasm,” said Cmdr. Matthew J. Powel, commanding officer of USS Donald Cook. “This team comes in to work every day ready to accomplish the mission in one of the most demanding sea duty schedules the Navy has to offer and I couldn’t be more proud to be their captain.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Force, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Force is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My uncle Ernie Rogers was a Navy pilot and my father Lee, grandfather Lester and great grandfather Harley were in the Army,” said Force. “I joined the Navy during a time of peace and wanted to follow in my family's footsteps to serve. My love of the ocean swayed me to the Navy.”
While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Force has found many great rewards.
Force is proud of the opportunity to serve as a chief boatswain's mate onboard Donald Cook. Force stated that watching sailors develop into leaders is an award in itself.
The hard work and professionalism of more than 300 women and men aboard Donald Cook are a testament to the namesake's dedication and the ship's motto, "Faith Without Fear."
Unique experiences build strong fellowship among the crew of more than 300 women and men aboard USS Donald Cook. Their hard work and professionalism are a testament to the namesake's dedication and the ship's motto, "Faith Without Fear." The crew is motivated, and can quickly adapt to changing conditions, according to Navy officials. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches and drills. Serving aboard a guided-missile destroyer instills accountability and toughness and fosters initiative and integrity.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Force and other USS Donald Cook sailors know they are a part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy, I went from an 18-year-old high school kid to a leader of the largest division on a warship,” said Force.
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