SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 3rd Class Kaleb Lewis, a native of Stockton, California, 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 |
Lewis joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Lewis serves as an aviation ordinanceman aboard USS Makin Island.
“The military has always intrigued me, for as long as I can remember I wanted to join,” said Lewis. "Coming from a family of Marines, I wanted to break the mold a little and try a different path. The Navy seemed like a good fit."
Growing up in Stockton, Lewis attended Langston Hughes Academy and graduated in 2018.
Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Stockton.
“Early on I learned to accept the role and position you're assigned and embrace it,” said Lewis.
These lessons have helped Lewis 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, Lewis 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's global presence allows us the ability to move and position assets to respond to threats when needed,” said Lewis.
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.
Lewis and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am most proud of the lessons I've learned in how to provide for myself and other people,” said Lewis. "I've learned to help my junior sailors with work and personal matters and help them succeed."
As Lewis 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 I'm doing something that I know my family will always be proud of,” added Lewis. "I am also able to do something I've always wanted to do on my own."
Lewis is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom and my grandfather for pushing me to take a chance on this career,” added Lewis.