A Dayton, Ohio, native and 2006 Belmont High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard USS Portland, one of the Navy’s newest and most advanced amphibious ships.

Petty Officer 1st Class James Bryant is an interior communications electrician aboard the amphibious transport dock operating out of San Diego. A Navy interior communications electrician is responsible for equipment that communicates internally on the ship including alarms, announcing systems, and engine and control systems.

Bryant credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Dayton.

“Common sense has taken me a long way in the Navy,” said Bryant. “I had to learn how to navigate within my own hometown and it has helped me in the military. It has helped me realize who I can count on and trust. Along with my common sense, the knowledge and education the Navy has given me has allowed me to excel.”

Commissioned in 2017, Portland is designed to deliver Marines and their equipment where they are needed to support a variety of missions ranging from amphibious assaults to humanitarian relief efforts.

A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.

Being stationed in San Diego, the principal homeport of the Pacific Fleet, means Bryant is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”

Sailors’ jobs are highly varied aboard Portland. More than 400 men and women make up the ship’s crew, which keeps all parts of the ship running smoothly, from handling weaponry to maintaining the engines. An additional 700 Marines can be embarked. Portland is capable of transporting Marines and landing them where they are needed via helicopters, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and landing craft.

These amphibious transport dock ships support sea-to-shore assaults, special operations or other warfare missions and can serve as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious ready groups. Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice.

“The current and future success of USS Portland will be due to the hard work and dedication from each member of the crew,” said Capt. Tony Rodriguez, commanding officer of USS Portland. “Every sailor knows their role and purpose within the ship. By maintaining high standards and sound shipboard operating procedures we can ensure we are ready to answer when the nation calls.”

Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Bryant is most proud of going to Washington D.C. and receiving the White House Fellowship Award last year.

“I was the only first class to go,” said Bryant. “I was able to go because of volunteer work I did back home in Dayton.”

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Bryant and other Portland sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nations needs.

“Serving in the Navy means being committed to something bigger than myself,” Bryant added. “We learn to work together cause you can’t do it by yourself. You have to understand the mission you are serving in the Navy as well as the civilian world.”

Recently Played

The Sweetest TabooSade
5:53am
Stuck On YouKem
5:49am
Never KnewKenny Lattimore
5:46am
You Dont Know My NameAlicia Keys
5:41am
No Love LostKeyshia Cole
5:37am

Recent Posts