For the Gazette
Submitted by the Navy Office of Community Outreach
Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Theodore Quintana

MAYPORT, Fla. – A 2012 Amherst High School graduate and Amherst, Wis. native has been featured as key support as part of combat operations aboard the USS Philippine Sea.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Courtney Trzinski is a Navy interior communications electrician aboard the guided-missile cruiser. A Navy interior communications electrician is responsible for the operation, coordination, and performance of organizational and intermediate maintenance on:

Alarm, warning, and indicating systems, interior communication systems, ship’s speed and steering control systems, power generation and distribution systems, data conversion and distribution systems, aviation monitoring and landing aids, information and training systems, gyroscopic navigation systems, and environmental systems.

“My favorite part of being an interior communications electrician is being able to work everywhere and we get to work with other rates on the ship,” Trzinski said.

Trzinski credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Amherst.

“Growing up in a small town is like being on a small ship. It is the same so I am well prepared to work in a smaller community,” Trzinski said.

U.S. Navy sailors, like Trzinski, are stationed both stateside and on the high seas aboard surface ships around the world. USS Philippine Sea is one of more than 60 ships on the east coast of the United States as part of Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

U.S. Navy ships are deployed globally, and their presence helps the Navy control the sea. Sea control is vital to project power, secure common areas, deter aggression and assure allies when and where desired.

Due to its extensive combat capability, USS Philippine Sea is able to fire Tomahawk Cruise Missiles and other weapons as part of sustained combat operations against targets on and below the sea, in addition to hitting targets hundreds of miles over the land.

Though there are many ways for a sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Trzinski is most proud of her five years on a ship and two deployments.

“I like that the missile cruiser is small and you get to know everyone and you get pretty tight with everyone, it’s more of a family,” Trzinski said.

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

“Serving in the Navy brings me a lot of pride since my family was prior service. I am the first female to join and I am happy to make the family proud. Being a part of a military family has been a huge benefit.”