POUGHKEEPSIE NATIVE IN NAVY SUBMARINE FORCE 

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.