Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexandria Esteban | 250809-N-CV021-1011 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Aug. 9, 2025) — Fire Controlman 2nd Class...... read more read more
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SOUTH CHINA SEA — “During my time in the Navy, I have learned that not everything goes your way. Sometimes, when things get hard, you just have to keep pushing through, and they will eventually get better,” said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Alexander Brooks, who currently serves aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113).
The Rowlett, Texas native graduated Rockwall High School in 2020 and joined the Navy in February 2021 in order to travel the world. Prior to USS John Finn, he served aboard the USS Dewey (DDG 105) where he began his experience as a Fire Controlman in the Fleet.
Aboard the ship, Brooks is responsible for maintaining the ship’s weapon system control mechanisms, including several radars, computers, and rangefinders. Brooks’ favorite part about being a fire controlman is firing crew-served weapons like the M2 .50 caliber machine gun, and M240B medium machine gun.
“My main job is maintaining the Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control System and performing strike scenarios,” said Brooks. “On other days, I am a small arms marksmanship instructor or crew served weapons instructor.”
Though Brooks has accomplished a lot in his nearly five-years in the Navy, he said he has his sights set on bigger and better things.
“I would like to become a chief petty officer in the Navy,” Brooks said, when asked about the goals he had for his career. “I would also like to get my expeditionary warfare specialist pin.”
With the ship forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, Brooks has enjoyed much of what the region has to offer including the food, sightseeing, and culture.
“My favorite thing about Japan are the cars,” Brooks said. “In my free time, I like to drive my Toyota Mark II with my friends out to the Daikoku parking area to look at all the cool cars that everyone drives there on the weekends.”
USS John Finn is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.
7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo and story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alexandria Esteban)
| Date Taken: | 08.16.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.25.2025 23:39 |
| Story ID: | 549374 |
| Location: | SOUTH CHINA SEA |
| Hometown: | ROWLETT, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 40 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Sailor finds passion, purpose in weapons job on forward-deployed John Finn, by PO2 Alexandria Esteban, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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