Lake Villa seamen re-enlists in Navy atop Mt. Fuji

Submitted by the Navy Office of Community Outreach

Sailors assigned to Navy Information Operations Command Hawaii re-enlisted atop the tallest mountain in Japan, Mount Fuji, Aug. 25.

Cryptologic Technician 2nd Class Elijah D. Stotts from Pace, Florida, and Cryptologic Technician 3rd Class Henry R. Lundblad from Lake Villa said the oath over 12,000 feet above sea level after a seven-hour climb through wind and rain.

"Choosing an ambitious site for my re-enlistment goes hand-in-hand with my Navy career," Stotts said. "I didn't join the Navy because it would be easy. I didn't hike the highest mountain in Japan because it would be easy. I did both because they are life accomplishments I can be proud of."

"I would have never imagined myself re-enlisting," Lundblad said, "much less on Mount Fuji. 'Join the Navy and see the world.' I remember those words from recruitment posters. This experience is more than that for me."

Both Stotts and Lundblad are temporarily assigned to the forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry as part of a NIOC direct support team, complementing Sailors from NIOC Far East in Yokosuka, Japan.

Lt.j.g. Stewart Atchley, from NIOC Yokosuka and Lt.j.g. Christopher M. Jozwiak from NIOC Hawaii read the oath of enlistment for the Sailors at the summit.

"It's always an honor to be a part of a re-enlistment and re-administer the oath we all take to defend our constitution," Jozwiak said. "Our relationship with our Japanese allies is a sign of the strength that oath carries. To perform this ceremony atop the highest and most respected mountain in Japan is a unique yet fitting place."

"I felt honored when Petty Officer Lundblad asked me to do his re-enlistment," Atchley said. "Particularly on Mount Fuji, being a difficult place to get to, I encourage him to continue to challenge himself throughout his career."

NIOC Sailors routinely provide information warfare officers and enlisted personnel, expertise, and equipment while conducting signals intelligence, information and cyberspace operations for U.S. 7th Fleet units.

"CTR2 Stotts and CTR3 Lundblad are a welcome addition to our support team aboard Barry," said Atchley, the direct support officer temporarily assigned to the Barry. "I hope having such an iconic start to their new enlistments will motivate them to continue with their high level of professionalism."

The USS Barry is forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific.

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