Son of Fort Lauderdale resident serves with Navy Expeditionary Combat Command

By Alvin Plexico, (Navy Office of Community Outreach

NORFOLK, VA. – Petty Officer 3rd Class Steven Robinson, the son of Fort Lauderdale resident, Steve Robinson, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202 in support of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command.

Robinson joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Robinson serves as a construction electrician.

“I joined the navy because I was looking for a new experience, and I thought I could learn a lot in the Navy,” said Robinson. “I was looking forward to learning about America and the world through the travel opportunities offered by the Navy.”

Robinson immigrated from Jamaica and moved to Fort Lauderdale at the age of 18.

“When I moved to Fort Lauderdale, I appreciated the importance of hard work that I saw there,” said Robinson. “If you want something, you have to be willing to work for it.”

These lessons have helped Robinson while serving with the Navy.

Navy Expeditionary Combat Command was established in 2006 and is comprised of 20,000 active and reserve personnel serving around the world. They bridge the gap between sea and shore and support the fleet and joint force by clearing hazards, securing critical maritime terrain, building infrastructure, and protecting military forces. NECC includes Navy divers, expeditionary logistics, explosive ordnance disposal, expeditionary intelligence, and the Seabees.

“In many warfare communities across the Navy, there is a lot of focus on platforms and systems – ships, submarines, and aircraft, which are all a very integral part of our maritime force,” said NECC Force Master Chief Rick Straney. “For us in the expeditionary forces, our people are our weapons system. They represent an inherently mobile option for commanders to use around the world in a variety of complex, remote, and austere environments. We focus a lot of our effort on ensuring our warriors maintain a level of proficiency and readiness that enhances the ability of those larger platforms to do what they do at the time and point of need.”

Serving in the Navy means Robinson is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities, and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy asserts dominance in the open seas to help protect freedom around the world,” said Robinson. “In my opinion, the Navy is the most important branch of the military.”

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize the importance of accelerating America’s advantage at sea.

“Maintaining the world’s best Navy is an investment in the security and prosperity of the United States, as well as the stability of our world,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “The U.S. Navy—forward deployed and integrated with all elements of national power—deters conflict, strengthens our alliances and partnerships, and guarantees free and open access to the world’s oceans. As the United States responds to the security environment through integrated deterrence, our Navy must continue to deploy forward and campaign with a ready, capable, combat-credible fleet.”

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

“My proudest accomplishment serving in the Navy is advancing in rank to petty officer third class on my first try,” said Robinson. “I’m also proud of earning two warfare qualifications in such a short time in the Navy. I came here with a goal, and I achieved that goal thanks to support from the leadership in my command.”

As Robinson 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 makes me feel like I’m serving something larger than myself,” added Robinson. “Coming in every day and seeing others making sacrifices and working towards a common goal is very rewarding. I’m looking forward to where this career will take me next.”