James Welling
BANGOR, Wash. – A Greenfield native is stationed at Naval Base Kitsap (NBK), homeport to west coast ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines.
Petty Officer 1st Class James Welling serves in the Navy as a fire control technician. Welling graduated from Greenfield-Central High School in 2005.
“One of the big takeaways from growing up in a small town is the sense of community and the ability to build strong relationships where you can rely on your neighbor,” said Welling in a press release from the Navy Office of Community Outreach.
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.
Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Welling is part of a 122-year history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform.
“My proudest Navy accomplishment is leading and mentoring junior sailors during my last deployment while serving as a leading petty officer,” said Welling. “Some of the sailors have reached out to me and thanked me for getting them through that experience. It makes me proud knowing that I was able to help them through that time in their lives.”
Welling added that serving in the military has given his family a way to see the world.
“I have been able to introduce our kids to a lot of different environments,” he said. “We look at every homeport as an extended vacation. It forces you to get out on adventures and enjoy your time.”
