Ghana Native Serves with Navy Expeditionary Combat Command

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Patricia Rodriguez, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Tsifoaka, a 2019 Columbia College graduate, joined the Navy 12 years ago. Today, Tsifoaka serves as a logistics specialist.

“I joined the Navy because I was looking for new opportunities,” said Tsifoaka. “I wanted to see the world and try something different that could also provide stability.”

Growing up in Bekwai, Tsifoaka attended Sda Senior High School and graduated in 1992. Today, Tsifoaka relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Bekwai to succeed in the military.

“Being in Ghana, I was always fascinated by seeing people in uniform,” said Tsifoaka. “I was encouraged to join the Navy after seeing the respect and knowledge of those who served.”

Navy Expeditionary Combat Command was established in 2006 and is comprised of 20,000 active and reserve personnel serving around the world. They bridge the gap between sea and shore and support the fleet and joint force by clearing hazards, securing critical maritime terrain, building infrastructure, and protecting military forces. NECC includes Navy divers, expeditionary logistics, explosive ordnance disposal, expeditionary intelligence, and the Seabees.

“In many warfare communities across the Navy, there is a lot of focus on platforms and systems – ships, submarines, and aircraft, which are all a very integral part of our maritime force,” said NECC Force Master Chief Rick Straney. “For us in the expeditionary forces, our people are our weapons system.

They represent an inherently mobile option for commanders to use around the world in a variety of complex, remote, and austere environments. We focus a lot of our effort on ensuring our warriors maintain a level of proficiency and readiness that enhances the ability of those larger platforms to do what they do at the time and point of need.”

Serving in the Navy means Tsifoaka 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.

“I’ve seen first hand that the Navy is diverse in our capabilities during the deployments that I’ve been on,” said Tsifoaka. “We are always ready to adapt and defend our nation and our allies.”

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 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.”

Tsifoaka and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“My proudest Navy accomplishment is my last deployment,” said Tsifoaka. “I had the opportunity to be part of the group that was training some of the Somali forces in Somalia.”

As Tsifoaka and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.“To me, serving in the Navy means I get to feel proud of this country,” added Tsifoaka. “It’s not just about defending us, but we are also protecting other nations. I’m very proud of that.”