[4][5] While transiting to Pearl Harbor on 2 October 1999, twenty one days prior to her commissioning, O'Kane briefly rendezvoused off the coast of Ixtapa, Mexico with the decommissioned battleship USS New Jersey (BB-62) en route to Philadelphia for restoration as a museum ship.

[citation needed] In September 2002, O'Kane completed an accelerated innovative training cycle eight months ahead of schedule with the Carl Vinson Battle Group to be ready for contingency operations.

[citation needed] In February 2005, O'Kane deployed with USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT).

In July, O'Kane returned to her Pearl Harbor homeport after the scheduled deployment which also included Maritime Security Operations (MSO) off the Horn of Africa and Indian Ocean.

In September, O'Kane participated in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group Three.

[5] In February 2009, O'Kane returned to Pearl Harbor homeport after a four-and-a-half-month underway period which included ANNUALEX 20G and the defense of Iraqi oil platforms in the Persian Gulf.

[5] On 23 March 2012, O'Kane departed Pearl Harbor for a scheduled Middle East deployment with a primary focus on Ballistic Missile Defense operations.

[citation needed] On 4 March 2017, O'Kane departed Pearl Harbor for an Eastern Pacific Deployment to participate in Northern Edge.

During these seven months O'Kane made three short port visits to Guam, Saipan, and at the request of the Commanding Officer, Yokosuka, Japan.

Surrounding the trident is three crosses with a star at the center of each cross.The traditional Navy colors were chosen for the shield because dark blue and gold represents the sea and excellence respectively.

The trident at the center of the shield symbolizes the ship's ability to project naval power in hostile environments.

The star surrounding the sword is a reference to the Medal of Honor earned by the Rear Admiral for his extraordinary actions at sea.

The red in the sword and in the border of the motto stands for O’Kane's valor and sacrifice, during his time as a prisoner of war in two Japanese Camps during WWII.

[4] The seal consists of the ship’s shield, crest, and motto; all of which is surrounded by a dark blue oval with a gold rope border.