Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Samantha Oblander | PHILIPPINE SEA (MAY 7, 2022) Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class Stephen Rosamond,...... read more read more
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A Schaumburg, Illinois native and 2016 graduate of Conant High School is serving aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) while conducting operations in the Philippine Sea.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephen Rosamond is a Sonar Technician (Surface), also known as STGs, serving aboard Dewey, which is forward-deployed to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan.
“I joined the Navy in January 2018 because I wanted to do more with my life than stay home and do the same old things,” said Rosamond. “I figured traveling the world and learning new things would be well worth it. My father always recommended joining the military throughout my teenage years, but I didn’t truly decide on serving until my best friend told me that he joined the Marine Corps. After that I figured ‘it’s time’ and joined shortly afterward.”
Sonar Technician’s track, classify and localize contacts of interest. They operate surface sonar and other oceanographic systems and operate surface ship underwater fire control systems. Rosamond explained why he chose his rate.
“The Sailor at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) put the STG rate on the table and told me that this was the rate to choose,” said Rosamond. “I was initially hesitant, but then he told me that the Navy had a dolphin program that is well-known for their ability to save and train dolphins and STGs have a huge role to play in that program. I later learned that the program isn’t a job that every STG gets to do, but I definitely love my rate.”
With each rate doing their respective roles every day, Rosamond shared why he felt STGs were important to the Navy.
“Sonar Technicians play a huge role in anti-submarine warfare,” said Rosamond. “We deal a lot with oceanography and it’s honestly like a huge game of chess. Each move is calculated and has to be precise in order to catch any underwater contacts that may lurk in the area.”
Dewey recently shifted homeports from San Diego to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka and Rosamond is taking the opportunity to open himself up to new experiences.
“Being in Japan is an experience I never thought I’d get the chance to enjoy,” said Rosamond. “Experiencing a new culture while living life as the locals would has been more than enjoyable. My shipmates and I discovered the world of Airsoft here in Japan and it has been a crazy good time. Another perk of being stationed here is that Japan has some of the world’s most renowned mountains to snowboard on. Being able to shred the mountains and then go slurp some ramen has become a personal favorite pastime of mine.”
While Rosamond is enjoying his time in Japan he is also taking the opportunity to learn from those around him.
“Seeing others come and go throughout my time onboard the Dewey has taught me a lot,” said Rosamond. “I’ve gone from being a follower, looking up at the senior Sailors on board and now I’m in a position of leadership and am now trying to learn about leadership and how junior Sailors may look up to me. I’ve had some great senior leaders who have helped guide me through my Navy career and have taught me so many valuable life lessons.”
Learning from those around you can help build your future, but it can be difficult building that future without support. Luckily Rosamond is receiving nothing but support from those he loves.
“My father retired from the Army as a Sergeant Major,” said Rosamond. “He has always been a huge inspiration to me throughout my military career and he has offered nothing but support and good wishes throughout my time in the Navy. My family has been supportive in every way imaginable. My mom has always been there for me even when the time difference means she has to be up late into the night to talk to me. I definitely have to show love and appreciation for my amazing wife for all the support and love she has given me. I cannot repay her enough for the sacrifices she’s had to make in our marriage. She knows the life of a military spouse can be a hard one to live and being able to come home to her after a deployment is the only thing I ever looked forward to.”
Dewey is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet is the largest forward-deployed fleet and routinely operates and interacts with 35 maritime nations while conducting missions to preserve and protect critical regional partnerships.
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 06.28.2022 20:41 |
| Story ID: | 423568 |
| Location: | YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 64 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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