Trace Gorsuch
Petty Officer 2nd Class Jasmine Singh
Roanoke, Texas, may not be the first place that comes to mind when picturing a U.S. Navy warship cutting through the Pacific, but for Petty Officer 2nd Class Jasmine Singh, it’s the starting point of a journey that has carried her thousands of miles from home. Singh, a 2020 graduate of Byron Nelson High School, now serves aboard the USS Chung-Hoon, a guided missile destroyer operating out of San Diego, California, according to a release.
Singh credits her drive and work ethic to her parents.
“My parents came here as immigrants from India,” Singh said. “They taught me the value of hard work, dedication, and how you can come from nothing and still make something of yourself.”
Singh joined the Navy five years ago and now serves as a fire controlman (Aegis). “I joined the Navy to travel, to gain work experience, and to become independent,” she said.
USS Chung-Hoon carries the name of Rear Adm. Gordon P. Chung-Hoon, a World War II hero decorated with the Navy Cross and Silver Star for extraordinary valor as the commanding officer of USS Sigsbee. The destroyer is a multi-mission ship — capable of operating alone or as part of a larger fleet, equipped with Tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns, and a Phalanx close-in weapons system. More than 300 sailors work aboard, handling everything from engine maintenance to weapons systems, keeping the ship mission-ready at all times.
This year marks the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary, highlighting America’s identity as a maritime nation. With 90 percent of global commerce moving by sea and critical undersea fiber-optic cables carrying much of the world’s data, the Navy emphasizes that national prosperity depends on recruiting and retaining skilled sailors from across the country.
“I'm proudest of becoming a subject matter expert in my field,” Singh said. “I’m also proud of the strength I have to push through any obstacles that come my way.”
Her service reflects a sense of duty to family and country.
“Serving in the Navy means protecting my family and loved ones,” Singh said. “It’s about letting Americans enjoy their personal freedom through my sacrifice. After my time in service, I would like to get my degree and become an environmental engineer.”
Singh also credits her family as the foundation for her success.
“I want to thank my parents and my little brother for always being a safe place where I feel like everything I'm doing has a purpose,” she added.
