YOKOSUKA, Japan – Petty Officer 2nd Class Cameron Nichols wanted to join the U.S. Navy to travel and earn an education.

Eight years later, Nichols serves aboard the USS John S. McCain, which is an Arleigh Burke-class, guided-missile destroyer. Based in Yokosuka, Japan, the vessel patrols one of the world’s busiest maritime regions as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet.

“The work is busy but fulfilling,” Nichols said. “It’s great to make all of these connections with different kinds of people … people I thought I’d never meet.”

Nichols is a native of Madison and a 2009 graduate of Bob Jones High School. He works as a cryptologic technician (technical) aboard the Yokosuka, one of several destroyers in its class forward deployed to the region. “I maintain a data house on a computer system,” Nichols said.

“My grandfather was in the Army. He would tell me to know what you are told, how you are told, and when you are told to do it,” Nichols said. “If you just listen and do the job right, most things will fall into place.”

More than 50 percent of the world’s shipping tonnage and one-third of the world’s crude oil passes through the region. The U.S. Navy’s presence in Yokosuka is part of a long-standing commitment.

Nichols is most proud of having the opportunity to travel the world. “Being able to sail all over Europe, Africa and Asia is an amazing feeling,” Nichols said. “I never thought I’d be able to say that I’ve sailed the world.”

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Nichols and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, contributing to the Navy that the United States needs.

“To me, serving in the Navy is not so much about sacrifice but about proving that there’s nothing that’s not impossible,” Nichols said. “I try to aim my goals high and test to see if I can achieve those goals.”

The Media Outreach Department with the Navy Office of Community Outreach in Millington, Tenn. produces these profiles. Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Zahn with the Navy Office of Community Outreach researched and produced this article. For more information, visit outreach.navy.mil, Facebook/Navy Outreach, Twitter @NavyOutreach or Instagram @US_Navy_Outreach.