San Diego native supports one of Navy’s most versatile combat ships

By Petty Officer 3rd Class Abigail Rader, Navy Public Affairs Support Element

SAN DIEGO – A 1982 Chevaliar High School graduate and San Diego native is working for the U.S. Navy as part of a team supporting one of the country’s most versatile combat ships.

Mariano Arceo is a stock control officer and a member of the Logistics Support Team which supports both variants of littoral combat ships based in San Diego.

A Navy stock control officer is responsible for managing the ships' budgets and funding.

“I love managing the funds and the ship's money and the stock control functions,” said Arceo. “We're the distance support of the LCS, so we're the supply department of the LCS ships, and I love doing that.”

The LCS platform has a unique manning concept called “3-2-1,” where three crews serve aboard two different littoral combat ships, one of which is deployed.  This innovative manning concept allows the LCS to spend more time forward deployed without overtaxing the crew, according to Navy officials.

Designed to defeat threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft, littoral combat ships are a bold departure from traditional Navy shipbuilding programs. The LCS sustainment strategy was developed to take into account the unique design and manning of LCS and its associated mission modules.

“We are the legacy of the LCS program,” said Arceo. “We started the operations of all the LCS functions, and I love being a part of that.”

According to Navy officials, the path to becoming an LCS sailor is a long one.  Following an 18-month training pipeline, sailors have to qualify on a simulator that is nearly identical to the ship.  This intense and realistic training pipeline allows sailors to execute their roles and responsibilities immediately upon stepping onboard.

"Sailors that work aboard this platform are expected to be capable of performing a variety of tasks to assist in the completion of the LCS mission," said Capt. Warren R Buller, Commander, LCS Squadron One. "The training that is required of our sailors is rigorous and difficult. This ensures that they are mission ready to defend and protect America at all times."

As a service member supporting the LCS mission, Arceo explained they are building a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes. Sailors know how important it is for the Navy to develop new war fighting capabilities to continue their success on the world’s oceans.  

“I'm a retired senior chief and I love doing this job,” added Arceo. “I still continue to love what I'm doing and serving the Navy as a civilian.”

Through innovative planning, the design of systems, and crew requirements, the LCS platform allows the fleet to increase forward presence and optimize its personnel, improving the ability of the Navy to be where it matters, when it matters.