Chief Petty Officer Jeffrey Gaston, a native of Superior, Montana, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Trident Training Facility Bangor at Naval Base Kitsap, homeport of West Coast ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines.
Gaston graduated from Superior High School in 2006.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Superior.
“Growing up, I learned that family is the most important thing,” said Gaston. “I joined the silent service because of the small-town mentality. Submarine crews are a small, very tight-knit community. Being able to take care of anything that comes your way, being independent and thinking about how to solve problems quickly is another thing I learned.”
Gaston joined the Navy 13 years ago. Today, Gaston serves as an electrician’s mate (nuclear).
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“The military has been a part of my family since the Civil War and I wanted to continue that tradition in a branch my family hadn’t served in for decades,” said Gaston. “My dad was Air Force, my grandpa was in the Coast Guard during the Vietnam War, my great-grandpa was in the Army and my brother has been in the Army for 14 years. He’s stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord in Tacoma. I joined the Navy to travel the world and meet new people from across America.”
Known as America’s “Apex Predators,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security. A major component of that maritime security is homeported at Naval Base Kitsap, in Washington.
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and guided-missile submarines (SSGN).
Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. The Virginia-class SSN is the most advanced submarine in the world today. It combines stealth and payload capability to meet combatant commanders’ demands in this era of strategic competition.
The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. SSBNs are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles. The Columbia-class SSBN will be the largest, most capable and most advanced submarine produced by the U.S. — replacing the current Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines to ensure continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.
Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each SSGN is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.
Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Gaston is part of a rich 124-year history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in the defense of America and its allies.
The Pacific Submarine Force maximizes the Navy’s strengths of knowledge, stealth, agility, firepower and endurance.
“The men and women of the Pacific Submarine Force are among our best and brightest Americans,” said Rear Adm. Richard Seif, Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet. “The pace of activity across the force is eye-watering, and our ability to remain on-scene, unseen, is only possible due to their hard work and critical thinking. We are lethal, far-reaching, and incredibly capable, and we deter aggression through our demonstrated advantage in the undersea domain.”
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.
Gaston serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“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.”
Gaston has had many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service, he said.
“My proudest accomplishment is being named U.S. Pacific Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year in 2022, which also caused me to be meritoriously selected for chief petty officer,” said Gaston. “I am very proud of all of my sailors’ accomplishments and seeing all of their successes. It’s pretty cool and surreal. I didn’t even want to be put up for chief because I had so many things to take care of for my sailors, but they said I had to do this. I watched six of the 12 sailors in my division make petty officer first class and have probably given out 20 awards for my division over the last couple of years.”
Gaston said he takes pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy gives me a sense of purpose that teaches me life lessons that I can utilize for all my family and friends,” said Gaston. “I can take the lessons I’ve learned and teach the new sailors every day. I have had the privilege of serving on multiple submarine platforms and have been a Navy instructor twice now, so I have helped countless sailors during my time in the Navy.”
Gaston is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my spouse, Andrea, who’s been there through the toughest times,” added Gaston. “I also want to thank a couple of chiefs who were super important to me and were my mentors. Retired Chief Nuclear Power Electrician’s Mate Matt Stonehocker, retired Chief Nuclear Power Electrician’s Mate Bill Herbst, Master Chief Missile Technician Josh Hartung and Senior Chief Nuclear Power Electrician’s Mate Donte Polson, helped me get through the toughest times in my Navy career. I talk to them all the time still.”
