SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 2nd Class Neal Bucholc, a native of Piscataway, New Jersey, serves aboard a U.S. Navy warship operating out of San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings |
Bucholc joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Bucholc serves as an aviation electronics technician aboard USS Makin Island.
“I worked in real estate with a lot of veterans and loved their resolve and decisiveness in how they conducted business,” said Bucholc. "I decided to join because I wanted to be more like them."
Growing up in Piscataway, Bucholc attended Piscataway High School and graduated in 2011.
Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Piscataway.
“People from New Jersey have a special determination, toughness and kindness,” said Bucholc. My tough, kind determination and hard work ethic is a product of my parents and the people I grew up with.”
These lessons have helped Bucholc while serving aboard Makin Island.
Makin Island is an amphibious assault ship. According to Navy officials, these types of warships embark, transport and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions.
Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice.
As a member of the Navy, Bucholc is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy contributes to national defense by being the world's leading force on the water,” said Bucholc. "With oceans supporting 90 percent of global trade, having a world-class Navy is imperative."
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
Bucholc and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am proud of many of my accomplishments in the Navy,” said Bucholc. "But I am most proud of the fact that other sailors can count on me to get the job done and that junior and senior sailors respect me and my work ethic."
As Bucholc and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means helping yourself by helping others around you,” added Bucholc. "It is all about the junior sailors underneath you, mentoring sailors is an investment in protecting our nation for years to come."