Blue Springs Native Thankful as He Serves In The Navy
Senior Chief Petty Officer Ryan Hogan is grateful for his family and mom this Thanksgiving. Hogan, a native of Blue Springs, serves the U.S. Navy, assigned to Afloat Training Group (ATG) San Diego, California.
“I want to give a shoutout to my mom for her support for the past 25 years and my wife and kids for the sacrifices they made,” Hogan stated. “My mother has always been a sounding board for me and is there to support me if I have questions or hardships in life. I would like to thank my wife for holding it down while I’m on deployment. I am grateful that she was able to keep the family strong and running during my absence.”
Hogan graduated from Blue Springs South High School in 2000 and immediately joined the Navy, which celebrates 250 years this year. Today he serves a a gunner’s mate.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Missouri.
“Playing sports in my hometown, teamwork was heavily emphasized when accomplishing goals,” Hogan said. “The satisfaction from seeing goals being attained by a group effort is something that I value. When I was wrestling in high school, I learned to rely on my own strengths and perseverance, which in turn, helped me in the Navy when setting personal goals.”
“Ultimately, joining the Navy was to pay for college and to experience the world,” Hogan said. “I joined because I wanted to experience more than Missouri and because of the opportunities provided by the Navy. I am currently enrolled in Uncrewed Autonomous Systems at the United States Navy Community College. The Navy provides the necessary tools to help me succeed.”
ATG San Diego (ATGSD) plays a crucial role in maintaining a highly trained and prepared naval force, contributing to the US Navy’s ability to respond to various threats and carrying out diverse missions. Its role extends to evaluating and certifying all Pacific Fleet ships to ensure they meet the evolving standards required for naval and joint combat operations.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Hogan has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is watching sailors that I mentored succeed and advance in their careers,” Hogan said. “One of the best feelings is when someone I previously led calls me back down the road and says, ‘thank you for getting me to where I am today.'”
Hogan serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means being there for others who are unable or unwilling to serve their country,” Hogan said. “We take an oath to support and defend the Constitution, and valuing that oath and supporting what we were taught growing up in Missouri makes me proud to know that the opportunities that I’ve had serving the past 25 years would not have been made possible without enlisting in the Navy.”
This Thanksgiving, Hogan is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
–Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin Tang
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