Petty Officer 3rd Class Cullen Patterson, a native of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is serving aboard USS Chung-Hoon, a U.S. Navy warship operating out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Patterson, a 2015 graduate of Cherry Hill High School West, joined the Navy three years ago.
“I joined the Navy to better myself and to use my service as a stepping stone to my next career,” said Patterson.
Today, Patterson relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Cherry Hill to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I learned to work hard and be a leader,” said Patterson. “A couple of the jobs I had before and playing lacrosse helped teach me some of those lessons.”
These lessons have helped Patterson while serving in the Navy.
Chung-Hoon is a guided-missile destroyer that provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities. The 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 Chung-Hoon. 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 trained sailors and a strong Navy.
“Our mission remains timeless – to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”
Serving in the Navy means Patterson 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 is important to national defense because we continuously patrol the seas to keep our country and our allies safe from our adversaries,” said Patterson.
Patterson and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I’m proud of helping my ship win the Battenberg Cup for being the best ship in the Atlantic Fleet,” said Patterson.
As Patterson and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“To me, serving in the Navy means doing something for the greater good and making my family proud,” said Patterson.
Patterson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mom and dad, Leslie Lanza and Patrick Patterson, for always being there for me and giving me words of encouragement,” said Patterson. “I would also like to thank my aunt and uncle, Lisa and Jack Ryan, for supporting me along my journey.”
