Former Idaho Falls middle school teacher trains to become surface warfighter
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SAN DIEGO – Ensign Sean Steo, a native of Idaho Falls, is training to join the next generation of naval surface warfighters while serving as a student at Mariner Skills Training Center, Pacific (MSTCPAC).
Steo graduated from Bonita Vista High School in San Diego in 2015.
“Idaho Falls is kind of a small town,” Steo said. “Everyone there helps the people around them and tries to make others’ lives easier. Being a good neighbor and being part of that community has helped me build relationships and be a valuable member of the team here in the Navy.”
Steo joined the Navy a little over half a year ago. He formerly taught PE at Eagle Rock Middle School in Idaho Falls.
“I taught 7th and 8th grade PE before the Navy,” Steo said. “I joined because I wanted to foster a better world for my students and try to make a difference.”
Today, Steo serves as a surface warfare officer.
Located in San Diego, MSTCPAC provides sailors with hands-on seamanship and navigation skills training to fulfill the Navy’s mission of maintaining global maritime superiority.
Sailors at MSTPAC will spend more than 800 hours training on state-of-the-art simulators that allow them the opportunity to drive naval warships. This advanced technology lets sailors experience challenging and realistic at-sea scenarios like high-density traffic situations and complex navigational exercises. Instructors can even recreate past mishaps to provide valuable learning experiences.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber-optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Steo has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“Just being in the Navy is my proudest accomplishment,” Steo said. “I’m proud to be in a position to serve and to make things better for other Americans.”
Steo serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means being able to make the world a better place,” Steo said. “It also means being able to carry all the appreciation and love I felt from my students, family and friends with me throughout my military career.”
Steo is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my dad, David Steo, and my grandad, Fred Bell,” Steo added. “My dad was a command master chief, and my grandad was a chief. They both were a huge help to me throughout my process of joining the Navy. I also want to thank my students and friends for pushing me to join the Navy. Lastly, a big shoutout to Eagle Rock Middle School, the school I taught at, for everything they did for me.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.