Green Bay Native Reenlists While Serving at Naval Special Warfare Mission Support Center

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel, Navy Office of Community Outreach

MILLINGTON, Tenn. –Chief Petty Officer William Sayen, a native of Green Bay, Wisconsin, reenlisted while serving at Naval Special Warfare Mission Support Center.

“I joined because this was the best way I found to serve my community and country,” said Sayen. “I wanted an adventure and the Navy seemed like the branch that would deliver, and it has.”

Sayen joined the Navy 10 years ago. Today, Sayen serves as an aerographer’s mate.

“My favorite part of being an Aerographer’s Mate is being able to dive the science of meteorology and oceanography and apply it to naval operations,” said Sayen.

Growing up in Green Bay, Sayen attended Ashwaubenon High School and graduated in 2012.  Skills and values similar to those found in Green Bay are important to succeed in the military.

“Working at Chuck E. Cheese before joining the Navy, learning how to work at a high operational tempo in a chaotic environment has paid dividends in my naval career,” said Sayen.

As a member of the Navy, Sayen is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy, being an extension of the United States of America, shows the world that no matter where the trouble may be, we are not too far away to do something about it,” said Sayen.

With 90 percent 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 trained sailors and a strong Navy.

Sayen has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“The Navy has recognized me with awards for the work that I have done,” said Sayen,“but I feel the most pride watching my sailors get awards for the hard work I watched them do.”

As Sayen and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“To me serving in the Navy is gratifying because I get to lead and develop teams of people from all over our great country while providing a good life and future for my family,” added Sayen, “over the course of my career, I can say that I have been in every time zone on Earth, and because of the international date line, I can say that there is a day that I never lived and a day that I lived twice.“

Editor’s Note: U.S. Navy sailors serve and protect from around the globe with every sailor having started somewhere. The Green Bay News Network salutes one of our own — Chief Petty Officer William Sayen!