Cedartown native serves aboard forward-deployed Navy warship in Japan
YOKOSUKA, Japan — Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Shellhouse, a native of Cedartown, serves in Japan aboard a forward-deployed U.S. Navy warship. He joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Shellhouse serves as an electrician’s mate aboard the USS Ralph Johnson.
“I joined the Navy in search of a sense of belonging and a career pathway,” said Shellhouse. “I have always been a team player, and was already interested in electrical engineering. Joining the Navy was a perfect match for me.”
Growing up in Cedartown, Shellhouse attended Cedartown High School and graduated in 2016. Today, Shellhouse relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Cedartown to succeed in the military.
“Growing up playing sports, I learned that following directions and team work were critical and necessary for success,” said Shellhouse. “My father also encouraged me that if you put more effort in than others, you always will stand out. This continues to be true to this day.”
Modern U.S. Navy surface ships provide a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments.
A Navy surface ship is capable of operating independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups or expeditionary strike groups.
Jobs aboard a U.S. Navy ship are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill, according to Navy officials. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship missionready at all times.
As a member of the Navy, Shellhouse is part of a worldclass 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 is unmatched in terms of firepower and numbers on the seas,” said Shellhouse.
Shellhouse serves in Japan as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.
“As the largest force in our
nation’s front line against revisionist actors, U.S. Pacific Fleet meets this great responsibility with strength, resolve and confidence,” said Adm. Samuel Paparo, U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander. “Together with our joint and combined partner operations, we are positioned to defend, across all domains, any attempts to threaten our nation, our allies and partner’s security, freedom and well-being.”
Shellhouse and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am proud of the positive leadership I provide to the command and my division,” said Shellhouse.
As Shellhouse and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy is
something really special,” said Shellhouse. “It gives me a chance to follow a career path, while maintaining freedom in America.”
Shellhouse is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mentors, Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan Richards, as well as Petty Officer 1st Class Mitch Blaha,” added Shellhouse. “They guided and sculpted me into the sailor I am today, and they pointed me in the right direction.”
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.