Brothers Advance Together on Guam

Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Lauren Spaziano | 170602-N-WI626-109 APRA HARBOR, Guam (June 2, 2017) Machinist's Mate (Auxiliary) 2nd Class Joseph White, left, assigned to Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721), pins a 2nd Class Petty Officer crow on the Navy Working Uniform Type III eight-point cover of his brother, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Jacob White, who is assigned to Naval Base Guam Security Forces. The newly promoted brothers, native to Gosport, Indiana, are stationed on Guam and joined the Navy seven months apart. (U.S. Navy Photo by Lt. Lauren Spaziano)  

SANTA RITA, GUAM

06.06.2017

Story by Lt. Lauren Spaziano 

Commander, Submarine Squadron 15

Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721) congratulated 16 newly promoted Sailors during an all-hands call on the pier in Apra Harbor, Guam, June 2.

Machinist’s Mate (Auxiliary) 2nd Class Joseph White of Gosport, Indiana, was among the ranks.

His brother Jacob, assigned to Naval Base Guam Harbor Security Force, was also selected to advance to the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer and was present during Joseph’s recognition on the pier.

“We’ve been competitive our whole lives,” said Joseph. “I’m four years older and joined [the Navy] about seven months before him. He came in as an E-3, and I came in as an E-1. We made 3rd [Class Petty Officer] together and joked that the race was on to make 2nd [Class Petty Officer].”

The two men come from a military family and joined the Navy the same year, with Joseph enlisting before his brother.

“When the time came, we both went and took our [advancement exams],” said Joseph. “We sat around waiting for the results, and [Jacob] made it first; I was waiting on some paperwork. Then I found out we had both made it, and it was pretty awesome.”

The White family was excited to hear about Jacob’s advancement but did not learn of Joseph’s promotion until later, as he received final word four hours prior to the ceremony on the pier.

“I told [our family] I picked up [2nd Class Petty Officer], but they had to wait to hear about him,” said Jacob.

Joseph informed his family over the weekend, and they were overjoyed to hear both he and Jacob had been selected.

“I had never lived far from home until I joined [the Navy],” said Joseph. “Choosing to come out [to Guam] was a big jump for me. I talked to [Jacob] once he got out of boot camp, and he said he was coming out here.”

Guam is the first duty station for both Sailors and was their first choice. The brothers live together and celebrated their recent advancement together.

“[Jacob] found out before I did, but he reassured me I would make it,” said Joseph. “We celebrated at the house; we did a cookout and did some other fun things together when we found out. It was nice.”

Chicago is assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron (COMSUBRON) 15, which is located at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam in Apra Harbor, Guam, and consists of four Los Angeles-class attack submarines. The squadron staff is responsible for providing training, material and personnel readiness support to these commands. Also based out of Naval Base Guam are submarine tenders USS Frank Cable (AS 40) and USS Emory S. Land (AS 39). The submarines and tenders are maintained as part of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed submarine force and are readily capable of meeting global operational requirements.

For more news from Commander, Submarine Squadron 15, visit our official CSS-15 website at http://www.csp.navy.mil/css15 and our official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SubmarineSquadron15/.

Are you interested in taking orders to Guam? Want to learn more about the duty station and life on our island? For more information, check out the ‘Go Guam!’ website at http://www.csp.navy.mil/go-guam/ and download the ‘1st Fifteen’ checklist.

• Date Taken: 06.06.2017
• Date Posted: 06.06.2017 01:13
• Story ID: 236469
• Location: SANTA RITA, GU
• Hometown: GOSPORT, IN, US