Navy Yeoman Makes a Difference on USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26).

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Kyle Carlstrom | 190320-N-NB544-9999 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 20, 2019) Yeoman 3rd Class Faith Sallee, from Charlotte, N.C., sits in the captain’s chair on the bridge of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) while Capt. Anthony Roach, commanding officer of John P. Murtha stands beside her. Sallee spent time talking with Capt. Roach and sitting in his chair after being selected as the John P. Murtha Warrior of the Day. John P. Murtha is underway conducting routine operations as a part of USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in the eastern Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kyle Carlstrom)  

CHARLOTTE, NC, UNITED STATES

03.23.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Carlstrom  

Amphibious Squadron 5

PACIFIC OCEAN – “Make a Difference!” The slogan of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), named after the Vietnam Marine officer and later congressman, John P. Murtha, is used to instill a sense of pride in the Sailors and embarked Marines on board. Yeoman 3rd Class Faith Sallee is one such Sailor.

Coming from Charlotte, N. C., Sallee spent time in college and backpacking around the United States before joining the Navy.

“Once I finished backpacking, I knew I wanted to see the world next,” said Sallee. “I thought about joining the Navy as an officer, but thought maybe I should go enlisted first to see if I like it.”

As a yeoman, sitting behind a desk, filling out and triple-checking awards and evaluations can seem daunting to some. But not for Sallee.

“Truth be told, I love doing paperwork,” Sallee said. “I know many aren’t normally fans of it, but I like being ‘behind the scenes,’ helping people with their careers and the customer service aspect of it. I get to meet so many people and that’s one of the many perks of the job.”

Besides doing her daily job as a yeoman, Sallee is involved in all sorts of collateral duties, including the ship’s nautical or otherwise photographic intelligence exploitation (SNOOPIE) team. SNOOPIE is used for gathering photographic intelligence on unknown contacts at sea. Sallee’s other collateral duties involve being a hoseman in her repair locker and secretary of the ship’s multi-cultural heritage committee.

“I like being involved. It’s how you meet people, and form bonds that make being away at sea easier,” said Sallee. “I truly like being involved in the command because it allows you time out of the office and to focus on things that can better everyone as a whole.”

All of the hard work and commitment seems to have paid off as Sallee was recognized by her peers as the junior Sailor of the quarter, and then nominated by her department as the ship’s Warrior of the Day.

“It meant a lot being nominated,” Sallee said. “It was fun to be able to talk with him [John P. Murtha Commanding Officer] a second, sit in his chair, and know that your hard work is paying off.”

With everything Sallee has accomplished, she has set her sights on becoming an officer.

“I like that I enlisted first because it lets you see what the Navy is all about,” said Sallee. “I think if I do get chosen with my officer package, being enlisted will have laid the ground work down for the rest of my naval carrier.”

John P. Murtha is underway conducting routine operation as a part of USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

• Date Taken: 03.23.2019
• Date Posted: 03.27.2019 11:17
• Story ID: 315859
• Location: CHARLOTTE, NC, US