From the Navy Office of Community Outreach
An Orange County native and a graduate of Orange County High School is serving with the U.S. 7th Fleet Staff aboard 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19).
U.S. Navy Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Coby Lloyd works as the fleet intelligence watch assistant, assisting in running a watch team that provides warnings and indications for all assets in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to do something that mattered,” said Lloyd.
He says he was molded by the people of his hometown by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the namesake of the ship he would coincidentally begin his Navy career on.
Onboard the Blue Ridge, he was advanced to petty officer 2nd class through the meritorious advancement program.
“Honestly, getting meritoriously advanced to second class was a super great experience,” he said. “But I feel like my naval career is just getting started.”
Lloyd was recently accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, an achievement that he says “takes the cake” regarding his accomplishments so far. His inspiration to apply came from both visits to Annapolis during his upbringing and inspiration from people he’s served with in 7th Fleet.
“A lot of my family lives in Maryland, so going up to Annapolis, where USNA is, in the summer time created a desire to go there,” he said. “Plus, when I got to 7th Fleet I met a lot of really great officers, and they inspired me to become one.”
Lloyd also credits his service in 7th Fleet with providing him guidance, experience and knowledge.
“Without the Sailors and leadership here, I would be completely lost with this whole Navy thing. There is so much you can take away from being at this command,” he said. “It truly is a great place to be. You can leave this command with so much knowledge and experience, it is unreal.”
As the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet operates roughly 50-70 ships and submarines and 140 aircraft with approximately 20,000 Sailors.
