Fleet Public Affairs Center Norfolk
By Ashley Craig, Navy Office of Community Outreach
NORFOLK, Va. – Petty Officer 3rd Class Franklin Dendeng, a native of San Bernardino, California, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Harry S. Truman, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.
Dendeng graduated from San Bernardino High School in 2023.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in San Bernardino.
“Growing up, I learned the importance of making as many friends and connections as I can,” Dendeng said. “It’s helped me when I’m learning different jobs and different experiences, and when I’m trying to learn my job as supply personnel.”
Dendeng joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Dendeng serves as a logistics specialist.
“I joined the Navy for life experience,” Dendeng said. “I basically just came out of high school when I joined. I wanted to improve myself and have a solid base to start from.”
Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.
Among the largest warships in the world, Harry S. Truman is longer than three football fields at 1,092 feet. The ship is 252 feet wide and weighs more than 100,000 tons. More than 5,000 sailors serve aboard these self-contained mobile airports.
According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and combat capability of its air wing.
Dendeng has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment came during deployment when we had a big supply run where we were getting stocked with a lot of pallets of food, water and other materials,” Dendeng said. “With help from the crew, I had to take up thousands of pallets throughout our time in the Red Sea. It was the most tiring experience I’ve ever had, but it was also the most fun. I bonded with the team and made some friends.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
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.
“Serving in the Navy means that I can always improve,” Dendeng said. “As long as I can work, have a base and the mindset that I can work, I can make it through.”
Dendeng is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank Chief Bland for helping me get through hard positions and helping me with mistakes I’ve made,” Dendeng said. “I want to thank my mom for supporting me. Even though I asked her not to, she always sent me stuff during my deployment. I also want to thank Chief Massara, who just joined this command, but has been fun to work with and has been getting things done.”
