Westside Story Newspaper – Online The News of The Empire – Sharing the Quest for Excellence
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Xiaoming Zheng, Navy Office of Community Outreach
YOKOSUKA, Japan – Ensign Keith Masnec, a native of Chino Hills, California, serves in Japan aboard a forward-deployed U.S. Navy warship.
Masnec joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Masnec serves as a surface warfare officer aboard USS Robert Smalls.
“I’ve always looked up to my grandfather as he was in the Korean War as a gunner’s mate,” said Masnec. “I have heard stories and looked up to him and this is something I wanted to do.”
Masnec attended Chino Hills High School and graduated in 2014.
Today, Masnec relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Chino Hills to succeed in the military.
“A lot of my teenage years, I was a Boy Scout and became an Eagle Scout,” said Masnec. “Through Boy Scouts, I learned the importance of team building and giving people autonomy to do what they are good at.”
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, Masnec 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.
“We are on the front lines and I am proud to be part of this amazing group of sailors because we are a vital part of fairness and safety of the sea,” said Masnec.
Masnec 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.”
Masnec and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am proud of achieving the top fitness award during Officer Cadet School,” said Masnec. “I felt proud of myself when I received recognition from the Marine instructor.”
As Masnec 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 means constantly pushing myself day in and day out,” said Masnec. “When I am able to overcome difficulties, especially in terms of leading sailors and taking care of their needs, there is never a dull day.”
Masnec is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my family,” added Masnec. I also want to thank Troop 220 who shaped me into the person I am today.”
