NORFOLK, Va. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Jose Botello, a native of Somerton, Arizona, serves aboard a U.S. Navy warship operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Beverly Taylor, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Botello graduated in 2017 from Kofa High School.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Somerton.
“I had experiences before joining the Navy that enabled me to more effectively assess the motives of people around me,” said Botello. “There can be a lot of misinformation that gets spread, so you have to be a good judge of character to know who you should trust.”
Botello joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Botello serves as a fire controlman aboard USS Ross.
“I joined the Navy to explore other places and to pay for college,” said Botello.
Ross, a guided-missile destroyer, provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments.
A destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
More than 300 sailors serve aboard Ross. Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. Their jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry, alongside a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.
Serving in the Navy means Botello is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy contributes to national defense by being a show of force,” said Botello. “We are present all around the world, which helps our allies feel safe and keeps our adversaries in check.”
With 90% 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.
Botello has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud that I didn’t freak out when I got pepper sprayed as part of our security training,” said Botello. “I just kept going with the training and stayed focused.”
As Botello and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“Serving in the Navy allows me to fully engulf myself in work,” said Botello. “It also means that I may not be able to spend as much time with the people who mean the most to me.”