Long Island, NY, native serves aboard USS Tortuga

News: Long Island, NY, native serves aboard USS Tortuga

Amphibious Squadron 11

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Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Karen Blankenship Subscribe To This Journalist

Petty Officer 3rd Class Karen Blankenship

Culinary Specialist Seaman Kendell Blount slices a roast in the ship's galley aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46). Tortuga is part of the forward-deployed Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and is currently operating the 7th Fleet Area of Operations.

PHILIPPINE SEA – Culinary Specialist Seaman Kendell Blount, a Long Island, N.Y., native is currently serving aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) while on deployment in the Western Pacific.

As a CS, Blount is responsible for providing three meals a day for the ship’s crew and embarked Marines.

“It’s busy,” said Blount. “We’re always on the go. You just have to hurry up and get everything done.”

Despite the hectic schedule he is required to work, Blount said that his favorite thing about his job besides cooking is the rush.

Blount said he joined the Navy to take advantage of the educational benefits offered to service members. He plans to attend college for criminal justice and would one day like to become a police officer.

“My favorite part about being in the Navy is being a part of something,” said Blount. “There’s a lot of teamwork in the Navy and I’m not used to that, but I like it.”

Blount graduated from Salem High School in Conyers, Ga. and is the son of Evelyn Wallace.

Tortuga is part of the forward-deployed Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and is currently operating the 7th Fleet Area of Operations.