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A native of Morgantown, Kentucky, is serving the U.S. Navy as part of a crew working aboard one of the world’s most advanced ballistic-missile submarines.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class joined the Navy in 2007 and is an electronics technician (radio) aboard the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS West Virginia (SSBN 736).
The youngest of four siblings, Daugherty has three older sisters. He graduated from Butler County High School in 2004 and then enrolled fulltime at Daymar College, earning his associate’s degree before joining the Navy.
“I am a lead petty officer and the assistant security manager who keeps submarine communication equipment running” said Daugherty, who works in the communication division aboard the submarine.
A submarine electronics technician (radio) is responsible maintaining and operating a variety of complex communication systems, and performs maintenance on these systems to keep keeping submarines communications in top working order.
The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarine, often referred to as “boomers”, serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. They are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and precise delivery of missiles if directed by the President. The Ohio-class design allows the submarines to operate for 15 or more years between major overhauls. On average, the submarines spend 77 days at sea followed by 35 days in-port for maintenance.
Daugherty is part of the boat’s gold crew, one of two rotating crews, which allow the boat to be deployed on missions more often without taxing one crew too much. A typical crew on this submarine is about 150 officers and enlisted sailors.
Daugherty expressed how important teamwork and strong leadership is for everyone on the boat in accomplishing the mission.
“I am responsible for junior shipmates and learning new technology and equipment due to my job always evolving and changing,” he said.
Submariners are some of the most highly trained and skilled people in the Navy. The training is highly technical, and each crew has to be able to operate, maintain, and repair every system or piece of equipment on board. Regardless of their specialty, everyone also has to learn how everything on the ship works and how to respond in emergencies to become “qualified in submarines”.
Aside from being an electronics technician aboard a submarine, Daugherty professes to be married to the love-of-his-life, his wife Brittany and is a father to daughter, McKenna, and son, Jameson.
Daugherty said he spends his free time away from the Navy doing things with his family and is an avid hunter who spends several days a week in the gym lifting weights and keeping up with his fitness.
He also plans to achieve his military goal of making chief petty officer and get his bachelor’s degree and plans to retire after serving 20 years in the Navy.
Daugherty stressed the importance of overcoming adversity and never give up in your dreams. He struggled with dyslexia, a learning disability and was held back in grade school.
“What I have learned is that there are ups and downs in life and no matter what the obstacle,” said Daugherty. “I believe it is important to let how you overcome adversity define who you are and it’s important to ever give up!”
He keeps one quote close to heart that keeps him motivated.
“There is a quote from Sylvester Stallone in the movie “Rocky Balboa” that I always keep close to me,” he said. “‘Until you start believing in yourself, you ain’t gonna have a life.’”
| Date Taken: | 01.22.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 01.22.2019 13:59 |
| Story ID: | 307812 |
| Location: | KINGS BAY, GA, US |
| Hometown: | MORGANTOWN, KY, US |
| Web Views: | 83 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Morgantown Native Serves Aboard US Navy Ballistic-Missile Submarine, by PO2 Bryan Tomforde, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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