By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Erica R Gardner, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne
PEARL HARBOR –A San Bruno, California, native and 2000 Capuchins High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Petty Officer 1st Class Denniska Bolanos, a yeoman, is serving where U.S. Pacific Fleet Headquarters is located.
As a yeoman, Bolanos is responsible for customer service and human resource tasks to include clerical work and maintaining correspondence and ensuring new personnel are added to the command properly.
“My dad wanted me to join the military,” said Bolanos. “He had spoken to a recruiter and passed that information on to me and wanted me to see the world and get money for my education.”
“My dad wanted me to join the military,” said Bolanos. “He had spoken to a recruiter and passed that information on to me and wanted me to see the world and get money for my education.”
According to Navy officials, the U.S. Pacific Fleet is the world’s largest fleet command, encompassing 100 million square miles, nearly half the Earth’s surface, from Antarctica to the Arctic Circle and from the West Coast of the United States into the Indian Ocean.
Being stationed in Pearl Harbor, often referred to as the gateway to the Pacific in defense circles, means that Bolanos is serving in a part of the world that is taking on new importance in America’s national defense strategy.
"Our sailors in Pearl Harbor are doing an excellent job at warfighting and supporting the warfighter," said Cmdr. Hurd, chief staff officer, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. "Historically, Pearl Harbor is a symbolic base of sacrifice and resiliency. Today, on every Navy ship and shore facility's flag pole, the First Navy Jack, 'Don't Tread on Me,' flies reminding sailors to move forward and build on the history and legacy of this country and the U.S. Navy."
The Navy has been pivotal in helping maintain peace and stability in the Pacific region for decades, according to Navy officials. The Pacific is home to more than 50 percent of the world's population, many of the world's largest and smallest economies, several of the world's largest militaries, and many U.S. allies.
The Navy has plans, by 2020, to base approximately 60 percent of its ships and aircraft in the region. Officials say the Navy will also provide its most advanced warfighting platforms to the region, including missile defense-capable ships; submarines; reconnaissance aircraft; and its newest surface warfare ships, including all of the Navy’s new stealth destroyers.
“I feel proud that I am the first in my family to join the military,” said Bolanos. “I look back at it and realize this was the best decision I ever made.”
Bolanos’s proudest accomplishment was earning a Navy Commedation Medal for being a part of the cyber security inspection, helping the command pass by writing instructions and training members of the command.
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Bolanos and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“It makes me very proud and patriotic to serve my country and allows me to do the things I have done like travel,” added Bolanos. “I am thankful and grateful for what the Navy has provided.”
Being stationed in Pearl Harbor, often referred to as the gateway to the Pacific in defense circles, means that Bolanos is serving in a part of the world that is taking on new importance in America’s national defense strategy.
"Our sailors in Pearl Harbor are doing an excellent job at warfighting and supporting the warfighter," said Cmdr. Hurd, chief staff officer, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. "Historically, Pearl Harbor is a symbolic base of sacrifice and resiliency. Today, on every Navy ship and shore facility's flag pole, the First Navy Jack, 'Don't Tread on Me,' flies reminding sailors to move forward and build on the history and legacy of this country and the U.S. Navy."
The Navy has been pivotal in helping maintain peace and stability in the Pacific region for decades, according to Navy officials. The Pacific is home to more than 50 percent of the world's population, many of the world's largest and smallest economies, several of the world's largest militaries, and many U.S. allies.
The Navy has plans, by 2020, to base approximately 60 percent of its ships and aircraft in the region. Officials say the Navy will also provide its most advanced warfighting platforms to the region, including missile defense-capable ships; submarines; reconnaissance aircraft; and its newest surface warfare ships, including all of the Navy’s new stealth destroyers.
“I feel proud that I am the first in my family to join the military,” said Bolanos. “I look back at it and realize this was the best decision I ever made.”
Bolanos’s proudest accomplishment was earning a Navy Commedation Medal for being a part of the cyber security inspection, helping the command pass by writing instructions and training members of the command.
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Bolanos and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“It makes me very proud and patriotic to serve my country and allows me to do the things I have done like travel,” added Bolanos. “I am thankful and grateful for what the Navy has provided.”