Seaman Byiswan Smith, a native of Poughkeepsie, New York, is one of the sailors continuing a 123-year tradition of service under the sea aboard USS Springfield, operating out of Naval Base Guam.
Smith, a 2014 graduate of Poughkeepsie High School, joined the Navy two years ago. “I joined the Navy to travel and pay for college,” said Smith. Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Poughkeepsie.”
“Growing up in I learned to never give up and don”™t let anyone tell you that you can”™t do something,” said Smith.
Today, Smith serves as a sonar technician (submarine). “The best part of my job is listening to the sounds that the ocean produces,” said Smith. Known as America”™s “Apex Predators!,” the Navy”™s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.
