Andrew Bonderud
I started thinking
about joining the Navy
when I was in high
school. My father was
in the Navy and my
grandfather was in the
Army Air Corps so I
have a long tradition
of military service in
my family.
I wanted to
not only get a great
education, but also
serve my country.
I entered the Naval
Officer Training Corps
on a full scholarship
at Vanderbilt
University. While in
college, I studied
political science,
Spanish, and math. My
ROTC (Reserve Officers’
Training Corps)
training included
physical fitness, drill
practice, and courses
in naval science.
Every summer, I was on
board either a surface
ship or submarine for
hands-on experience.
At the end of college,
I was commissioned as
an officer.
I am currently a
surface warfare officer
on the USS John L Hall,
a guided missile
frigate that’s
stationed in Mayport,
Florida.
One of the
advantages of my job is
that I have many
different
responsibilities.
I’ve
been trained to become
proficient in driving
and navigating a ship
as the goal is that I
will eventually become
a commanding officer, a
captain of a Navy
warship.
I am also
responsible for the
weapon systems.
In my
last assignment, I
oversaw the AEGIS
Weapon System that
launches Tomahawk
missiles. I managed the
maintenance, training,
and the operations of
the weapons systems.
In the role of
Surface Warfare
Officer, I’ve also
served as a Damage
Control Assistant,
Administrative Officer,
Electrical Officer, and
Assistant Weapons
Officer.
I had
responsibilities
ranging from the
electrical distribution
for a ship of 400 crew
members to all the
paperwork and personnel
issues for those 400
people. In addition,
I’ve coordinated damage
control efforts in the
event that the ship
experienced a fire or
flooding while we are
at sea.
I’ve had a lot of
incredible
experiences.
I’ve been
deployed to the Arabian
Gulf to support both
ground and air
operations.
I’ve also
deployed to the
Mediterranean where we
conducted diplomatic
engagements and
security operations.
There have been
difficult times, too.
During my second
deployment to the
Arabian Gulf, there was
one point when my ship
was underway for 72
days straight.
These
occasions can bring
stress and anxiety; at
the same time, I know
that I’m contributing
to the global security
and prosperity of
regions that would
otherwise be vulnerable
if not for the presence
of the United States
Navy working with our
allies, our friends and
our other navies in
those regions.
Day to day, it’s
very gratifying for me
to be in the United
States Navy. 90% of the
worlds’ commerce
travels over the seas
and the United States
Navy is the primary
force that maintains
stability on the high
seas.
I am a part of
an organization that
helps to foster
prosperity, maintain
security and create
cooperative
relationships with
other countries so that
we can ensure
prosperity not only for
the United States, but
also for others.
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