SAN DIEGO – Lt. Daniel Green, a native of Waterloo, Illinois, is developing the next generation of naval surface warfighters while serving as an instructor at Mariner Skills Training Center, Pacific (MSTCPAC).
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| Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sean Furey |
Green graduated from Waterloo High School in 2016.
“Self-sufficiency is a big lesson I learned growing up,” Green said. “There was a culture where you could ask for help, but you should try to figure it out yourself first. Integrity was another big lesson I learned. Waterloo is a town where the value of your word goes a long way, and you are known by how you present yourself. Those lessons have served me well and have been very helpful to me throughout my time in the Navy.”
Green joined the Navy seven years ago.
“I was originally going to join the Peace Corps,” Green said. “However, I found that I wasn’t ready for that commitment. So, I looked for other ways to serve the country and stay a little bit closer to home. I reached out to a Navy recruiter, and they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
Today, Green serves as a surface warfare officer.
Located in San Diego, MSTCPAC provides sailors with hands-on seamanship and navigation skills training to fulfill the Navy’s mission of maintaining global maritime superiority.
Surface warfare officers at MSTPAC will spend more than 800 hours training on state-of-the-art simulators that allow them the opportunity to drive naval warships. This advanced technology lets sailors experience challenging and realistic at-sea scenarios like high-density traffic situations and complex navigational exercises. Instructors can even recreate past mishaps to provide valuable learning experiences.
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. More information is available here: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/
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.
Green has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’ve had a couple of high points throughout my Navy career,” Green said. “My proudest accomplishment, though, was probably successfully navigating the USS Ashland home from Japan to San Diego back in 2023. I was the point coordinator, and I got 300 sailors home safely. I was relatively junior at the time, so I was proud that I was trusted with that role. It was a massive project, and there were a lot of moving parts. It also wasn’t a given that we were going to be successful. A lot of other ships had issues with it. We nailed it, though!”
Green serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Being in the Navy means serving for the common good,” Green said. “It is one of America’s last remaining great projects. There’s always something new to look forward to or a new problem to solve.”
Green is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents for being my biggest supporters,” Green added. “I also want to thank the Roh family for being tremendously helpful throughout my Navy career.”