USS HIGGINS (DDG 76)

MAY 25 - #USINDOPACOM forces stand ready and postured today to ensure a #freeandopenindopacific alongside Allies and Partners #readytodayIPC

Happy 248th Navy Birthday! The cake is cut with a sword to remind us we are warriors. Passing cake from the oldest to the youngest sailor means passing of tradition and experience. Our FCPOA gave a Navy birthday presentation. We also had CTR1 Currier mapped to a first class!

Oct to Nov here's a few that have left the Higgins to do more great things! Ringing someone off is a tradition where the crew lining up along the ship, saluting the individual as they walk down the aisle, saying a call sign "name, departing!" dropping the salute, and clapping.

These are the USS Higgins' Search And Rescue Swimmers; LTJG Evans and LTJG Scowcroft. A Navy Surface Search & Rescue Swimmer is responsible for responding to casualties in which personnel need to be rescued and/or recovered from the water!

Join us Monday, Nov 20th at 10am (Yokosuka, Japan time) on Google Meets to see the USS Higgins Change of Command live! Paste this link in your browser & press search: meet.google.com/hzs-otpe-kvi Hope to see you there!

Small boat operations! During anchorage the Higgins conducted small boat operations and ammo on-load! The Higgins also welcomed a couple MIDN that will be joining us for a few weeks. Big accomplishment for Operations and Weapons department!

Congratulations to all the officers who promoted! Due to their dedicated hard work, USS Higgins welcomed 6 LTJG's and 4 LT's! LTJG: Hurst, Beatty, Evans, Renzi, Scowcroft, and Wrage. LT: Escalera, Farragher, Ma, and Pacquin. FirstToFight!

Congratulations!! These sailor's received Griffin of the Month awards for the months of February, March, and April! -LS3 Schwarz -DC3 Jerrick -GSM3 Capuyan

Ringing someone off consists of the crew lining along the ship, saluting the individual as they walk down the "tunnel," making a call sign to say "name, departing!!" Then the crew drops the salute and begins clapping. This is a celebratory time to start your new adventures.

"We will not be able to compete and win if we don't continue to pull from the amazing talent that resides in every corner of the United States, harness that talent, respect it, and use it." --RDML Mike Brown #warfighting #fightandwin

MM2 Thi, Phan is from Hue, Vietnam. She joined the Navy in 2020 and will be leaving Higgins in 2026 to become an LDO.  EMFN Rodriguez Hernandez, Raymundo is from Santiago, Dominica Republic. He joined the Navy in 2022 and will be leaving Higgins in 2026 to further his service.

The Navy and Marine Corp commendation medal for meritorious service. The Gold Star in lieu of 4th award is to FCA PO2 Stephen P. Baugh. As spy radar tech, he led his team through troubleshooting, 56 CASREPs, 2 patrols, seizure protection, and launched missiles at Syrian forces.

The Navy and Marine Corp commendation medal for meritorious service. The Gold Star in lieu of 2nd award to LCDR Brian T. Osborne. He led his department through tactical training, bilateral weapons/tactics, ops with Japan, Australia, and Canada Navy’s, and carrier strike group 5.

The Navy & Marine Corp commendation medal for meritorious service. The Gold Star in lieu of 4th award is for GM 2nd Class Jose R. Vegamartinez. As ordnance leader in Spain, he led the transfer of ammo and missiles, to support Fleet Ops and the 2022 explosive safety inspection.

The Navy and Marine Corp achievement medal to LTJG Brendan W. Gridley. As AUXO and ATWO he supervised repairs, planned and executed port visits, 12 straits transits, led 20 special evolutions and successful joint ops with Japanese, Australian, and Canadian Navy’s.

Congratulations to IT1 Steven Wolski and IT2 Tyler Sivits for receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal from the CO; Marcus Seeger, of USS Benfold for their efforts in troubleshooting and repairing damaged communications equipment onboard USS BENFOLD in March of 23'.

Our Snipe of the Month for April has been scorching the competition and has made a noticeable impact in the MP Div and Eng Dept. This month's recipient is GSEFN Ninel L Cruz Diaz! GSEFN Cruz Diaz is from Monterrey, N.L Mexico then joined the Navy in January of 2022. FirstToFight!

Say cheese! The Higgins got together in dry dock to take our most current command picture! 📸MC2 Stack

Congratulations to Operations Specialist, Giovanni Manuel HartChavez for his re-enlistment! He has been in the Navy for over 4 years and achieved his goal of becoming an AIC as an OS2. OS1 HartChavez is going to continue his service for another 4 years!

Congratulations to our newest Petty Officer Third Class aboard USS Higgins; Operations Specialist Julian J. Juarez. OS3 is from San Antonio, Texas and has been in the Navy for 3 years! The USS Higgins has had the pleasure of having OS3 aboard since November of 2022! FirstToFight!