Senior Chief Petty Officer Wayne Clester, a native of Greensburg, is a part of Naval oceanography ensuring the U.S. Navy maintains freedom from the ocean floor to the stars at Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command.
Sailors and civilians working throughout Naval Oceanography collect, measure, and analyze the elements of the physical environment (land, sea, air, space).
They synthesize a vast array of oceanographic and meteorological data to produce forecasts and warnings in support of safety of flight and navigation.
Clester, a 2001 Hempfield Area Senior High School graduate, currently serves as an aerographer’s mate at Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, headquartered at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.
“Naval oceanography operates simultaneously at the strategic, operational and tactical levels of warfare in every theater around the globe,” said Rear Adm. Ron Piret, commanding officer, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command.
“We pride ourselves in our ability to characterize the battle space and then predict changes in the environment over time. Every ship that sails, every aircraft that takes flight, every submarine that dives beneath the surface of the ocean has to go to sea with the information that Naval oceanography provides.”
According to Clester, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Greensburg.
“I grew up valuing hard work,” said Clester. “My dad was a tradesman, so I knew that success comes with working hard and staying humble. I apply those principles every day.”
Naval oceanography personnel demonstrate expertise in hydrography, geospatial information and services, datum issues, and tactical decision aids.
They combine knowledge of the operating environment with a thorough understanding of warfighting capabilities to assess and predict environmental impacts to friendly and enemy platforms, sensors and weapon systems.
Serving in the Navy means Clester is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is important to national defense because we maintain the freedom of the seas while deterring world-wide aggression,” said Clester.
“The Navy also supports humanitarian missions, so it is not always about warfare.”
With more than 90% of all trade traveling by sea, and 95% of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize the importance of accelerating America’s advantage at sea.
“Maintaining the world’s best Navy is an investment in the security and prosperity of the United States, as well as the stability of our world,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations.
“The U.S. Navy — forward deployed and integrated with all elements of national power — deters conflict, strengthens our alliances and partnerships, and guarantees free and open access to the world’s oceans. As the United States responds to the security environment through integrated deterrence, our Navy must continue to deploy forward and campaign with a ready, capable, combat-credible fleet.”
Clester and the sailors and civilians they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“Being promoted to Chief Petty Officer is one of my proudest accomplishments,” said Clester. “My grandfather served in the Navy in World War II, and I know how proud he would be knowing how far I made it in my career.”
As Clester and other sailors and civilians continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in keeping fellow sailors and civilians safe and serving their country in the U.S. Navy.