JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM – A 2010 North Shore Senior High School graduate and Houston native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided-missile destroyer, USS John Paul Jones.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Marcus Sutton is a culinary specialist aboard the forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer operating out of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
A Navy culinary specialist is responsible for cooking four meals for 300 people each day, but Petty Officer Sutton’s responsibilities go much further. He doubles as a firefighter if the ship is in combat, and is responsible for the maintenance of the galley’s firefighting equipment.
“I’ve learned a lot since I’ve been in the Navy,” said Sutton. “Hawaii is a place I never thought I’d visit, and now I get to live here. It’s a very humbling experience.”
John Paul Jones, measures approximately 500 feet and is powered by four gas turbines that allow the destroyer to achieve more than 30 mph in open seas.
According to Navy officials, destroyers are tactical multi-mission surface combatants capable of conducting anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, as well as humanitarian assistance. Fast, maneuverable, and technically advanced, destroyers provide the required warfighting expertise and operational flexibility to execute any tasking overseas.
“Our Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific guided-missile destroyers are poised, trained, equipped and ready to deploy forward and support the Fleet,” said Rear Adm. John Fuller, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific. “Working with friends and allies, our MIDPAC sailors provide sea control, advance maritime security, enhance regional stability, and foster continued prosperity in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.”
Approximately 30 officers and 300 enlisted men and women make up the ship’s company. Their jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the cruiser running smoothly, according to Navy officials. The jobs range from maintaining engines and handling weaponry to washing dishes and preparing meals.
“It’s a very capable ship with a great crew,” said Sutton. “It’s a very positive environment, and everybody always pitches in to do what we need to do to get the job done.”
Challenging living conditions build strong fellowship among the crew, Navy officials explained. The crew is highly motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches, and drills.
“Serving in the Navy means a lot,” said Sutton. “It means that I’ve done something for my country. I learned so much in the past three and a half years since I’ve been in. It’s helped me grow as a person and it’s made me who I am today.”
