Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Senior Chief Gary Ward
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2017 Eastwood High School graduate and El Paso, Texas, native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Mason.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jorge Dominguez is a logistics specialist aboard the warship, based in Norfolk, Virginia. USS Mason is named after Secretary of the Navy John Young Mason and Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient Ensign Newton Henry Mason.A Navy logistics specialist is responsible for ensuring that the ship has the necessary parts required to carry out its day-to-day missions.
“I like the fact knowing that I make a big impact supporting this ship,” Dominguez said.
Dominguez credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in El Paso.
“My mother and father instilled in me a good work ethic and taught me to be on time and to be optimistic,” Dominguez said. “I carried these traits with me into the Navy that has helped me become a better sailor.”
U.S. Navy sailors, like Dominguez, are stationed both stateside and on the high seas aboard surface ships around the world. USS Mason is one of more than 60 ships on the east coast of the United States as part of Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
U.S. Navy ships are deployed globally, and their presence helps the Navy control the sea. Sea control is vital to project power, secure common areas, deter aggression and assure allies when and where desired.
Due to its extensive combat capability, the Mason is able to fire Tomahawk Cruise Missiles and other weapons as part of sustained combat operations against targets on and below the sea, in addition to hitting targets hundreds of miles over the land.
The ship is equipped with the Aegis Combat System, which integrates the ship’s electronic sensors and weapons systems to defend against anti-ship missile threats. The ship’s air search and fire control radar provides continuous search and tracking of hundreds targets simultaneously.
The crew of more than 300 sailors build a strong fellowship while working alongside each other. The sailors are highly motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions as part of a busy life of specialized work, watches and drills.
“Being on destroyer you have a small community, so you get to connect more on a personal level with your shipmates,” Dominguez said.
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Dominguez is most proud of graduating as top sailor enrolled in a Navy technical school.
“Everyone had the same opportunity but I wanted it more and worked very hard until I made it possible,” Dominguez said.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Dominguez and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, one that will provide a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means protecting my family and loved ones from harm’s way,” Dominguez added.