ZOE WOODING

YOKOSUKA, Japan — Petty Officer 3rd Class Zoe Wooding, a native of Flushing, Ohio, serves in Japan aboard a forward-deployed U.S. Navy warship.

Wooding graduated from The Linsly School in 2021.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Flushing.

“The high school I went to had us wear uniforms and was a place that was very regulated and came with a strict schedule,” said Wooding. “When I was young I was very adventurous and always knew I wanted to explore the world and what it had to offer. The Navy let me be adventurous.”

Wooding joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Wooding serves as an operations specialist.

“I joined the Navy to follow in my father’s footsteps,” said Wooding. “He would always tell me amazing war stories and I knew I wanted to go out and see more than my small hometown.”

USS John Finn, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments.

A Navy destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.

More than 300 sailors serve aboard USS John Finn Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. 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, according to Navy officials.

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Wooding 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.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Wooding has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I am most proud to say that I have been able to finish boot camp, technical school and an additional C school,” said Wooding. “Being able to learn so much in such a short amount of time has been an amazing experience.”

Wooding can take pride in serving America through military service.

“Serving in the Navy means being part of something bigger than myself and being a part of a legacy,” said Wooding. “We show up no matter the cost and although we each complete small tasks, together they keep the world safe and save lives.”

Wooding is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would like to thank my parents and brother for always supporting me in every decision I make and things I do,” said Wooding.

“The Navy can take a small-town person and blow their minds,” added Wooding. “I would never imagine I could have seen and experienced so many amazing places, foods and cultures in such a short amount of time all while earning a paycheck.”