Chandler High alum part of key Navy exercises

Petty Officer 3rd Class Billie Bryant, a 2005 Chandler High alum, serves aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt with 20 years under his belt in the U.S. Navy.

The Roosevelt is a Navy warship participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

“I joined the Navy to see the world,” Bryant said. “My dad also told me my only options were to go to school, get a job, or join the military. So, I joined the Navy.”

Bryant says he still uses skills he honed while growing up in Chandler.

“I learned, in Arizona, the importance of reading the fine print,” Bryant said. “I also learned not to have expectations because comparison is the thief of joy. Lastly, I learned to prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.”

Bryant serves as a Navy information systems technician.

A news release states more than 25,000 personnel will participate in this year’s Rim of the Pacific exercise, or RIMPAC 2026.

The exercise provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring safety at sea. RIMPAC 2026 marks the 30th exercise in a series that began in 1971.

Bryant plays an important role in the exercise, the release states.

“This is my first time participating in RIMPAC,” he said.

Bryant said being at sea for months at a time is difficult, but is worth it in learning to overcome challenges and in working toward national security.

“Serving in the Navy means doing something hard and accepting a challenge that not many others are willing to take on,” Bryant said. “Being away for long periods of time is hard, but the mission we have is important.”

Bryant is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my past leadership and Capt. Corey for being an energetic and positive influence on my life,” Bryant added.

Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.