submitted by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerry Jimenez, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Fireman Amir Elbarouki, a native of Newtown, serves in Japan aboard a forward-deployed U.S. Navy warship.
Elbarouki joined the Navy three years ago. Today, he serves aboard USS Higgins.
“I joined because I didn’t know what I wanted to do and my father recommended the military,” said Amir.
Growing up in Newtown, he attended Council Rock North High School and graduated in 2020. Today, Amir relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Newtown to succeed in the military.
“I learned the importance of respect and of being the bigger person in Newtown,” said Amir.
Modern U.S. Navy surface ships provide a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments. A Navy surface ship is capable of operating independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups or expeditionary strike groups. Jobs aboard a U.S. Navy ship are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill, according to Navy officials.
The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times. As a member of the Navy, Amir is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“We protect the waters and provide safety for travel and trading,” he said.
Amir serves in Japan as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.
“As the largest force in our nation’s front line against revisionist actors, U.S. Pacific Fleet meets this great responsibility with strength, resolve and confidence,” said Adm. Samuel Paparo, U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander. “Together with our joint and combined partner operations, we are positioned to defend – across all domains – any attempts to threaten our nation, our allies and partner’s security, freedom and well-being.”
Amir and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I’m proud of finishing a six-month patrol,” said Amir. “I learned so much and got back home safely with way more experience.”
As he and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“The Navy has allowed me to mature, learn discipline and become more independent,” said Amir. “I also gained life experience.”
He is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my father and mother,” added Amir. “They’re the ones who gave me the idea to join and showed me there’s so much more to the military.”
PHOTO CAP: Amir Elbarouki