An Ocean Away, SPHS Alumna Serves In U.S. Navy

A 2012 Severna Park High School graduate is serving in the Navy, living on the coast of Spain, and participating in a critical NATO ballistic missile defense (BMD) mission while assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Carney.

Lieutenant junior grade Michelle Nelson is a division officer aboard one of the four advanced warships forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, a small village on the country’s southwest coast, 65 miles south of the city of Seville.

A Navy division officer is responsible for the combat missiles division with 12 sailors, which includes all the maintenance and firing of the Tomahawk missile systems.

Nelson credits success in the Navy with lessons learned growing up in Severna Park.

“I was surrounded by a lot of Navy growing up and went to the U.S. Naval Academy, so I was instilled with respect for service,” Nelson said.

These four destroyers are forward-deployed in Rota to fulfill the United States’ phased commitment to NATO BMD while also carrying out a wide range of missions to support the security of Europe.

According to the NATO website, many countries have or are trying to develop ballistic missiles. The ability to acquire these capabilities does not necessarily mean there is an immediate intent to attack NATO but that the alliance has a responsibility to consider any possible threat as part of its core task of collective defense.

U.S. Navy Aegis ballistic missile defense provides scalability, flexibility and mobility. These systems are equally beneficial to U.S. assets, allies and regional partners in all areas of the world. Positioning four ballistic missile defense ships in Spain provides an umbrella of protection to forward-deployed forces, friends and allies while contributing to a broader defense of the United States.

Guided-missile destroyers are 510-foot-long warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. The ships are armed with tomahawk cruise missiles, advanced gun systems, close-in gun systems and long-range missiles to counter the threat to friendly forces posed by manned aircraft, anti-ship, cruise and tactical ballistic missiles.

Destroyers are deployed globally and can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups or amphibious readiness groups. Their presence helps the Navy control the sea. Sea control is the necessity for everything the Navy does. The Navy cannot project power, secure the commons, deter aggression, or assure allies without the ability to control the seas when and where desired.

The ship is named after Admiral Robert Bostwick Carney, who served as chief of naval operations during the Eisenhower administration.

“We have an outstanding team here, and I am honored to lead one of the finest, most capable crews in the U.S. Navy,” said Commander Tyson Young, commanding officer of USS Carney. "Their continued efforts keep us as an integral part of U.S. 6th Fleet's presence in the region.”

Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Nelson, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Nelson is honored to carry on that family tradition.

“My dad was in the Air Force and my grandpa was a supply officer in the Navy,” said Nelson. “My parents were very supportive of me joining the military and they told me it was a great way to get a start in life and see the world.”

While serving in the Navy may present many challenges, Nelson has found many great rewards. Nelson is proud of earning the strike warfare certification that validates his team's abilities to perform at the highest level.

Unique experiences build strong fellowship among the crew of more than 300 women and men aboard Carney. Their hard work and professionalism are a testament to the namesake's dedication and the ship's motto, "Resolute, Committed, Successful." The crew is motivated and can quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches and drills. Serving aboard a guided-missile destroyer instills accountability and toughness and fosters initiative and integrity.

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Nelson and other Carney sailors know they are a part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, providing the Navy the nation needs.

“The Navy has taught me how to work with others. I've grown a lot as a leader and am more comfortable speaking in large groups,” said Nelson. “Spain is awesome. Our ship has more opportunities to interact with our partner nation navies and we visit ports in more countries than almost any other command. I love taking weekend trips and seeing Spain and as much of Europe as possible.”