By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerry Jimenez, Navy Office of Community Outreach

YOKOSUKA, Japan - Petty Officer 3rd Class Jacob Scott, a native of Katy, Texas, serves in Japan aboard a forward-deployed U.S. Navy warship.

Scott joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Scott serves as an electronics technician aboard USS Ralph Johnson.

“I joined the Navy because I thought it was the best path for me,” said Scott.

Growing up in Katy, Scott attended Cy-Lakes High School and graduated in 2019.

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, Scott 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.

“The Navy is important to national defense because we have plenty of offensive and defensive capabilities,” said Scott.

Scott 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."

Scott and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“I am most proud of fixing vital equipment that allow us to go underway,” said Scott.

As Scott and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving in the Navy is a hard-working job, especially when we're underway,” said Scott. "It's rewarding for the training and opportunities that you get."

Scott is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would like to thank my dad,” added Scott. "He encouraged me to join the Navy."