VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Jacqueline Guzman-Barrera, a native of Buford, Georgia, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Naval Air Station Oceana.
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Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jerome Fjeld |
Guzman-Barrera graduated from Lanier High School in 2020.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Buford.
“My hometown taught me humility,” said Guzman-Barrera. “It also taught me to have a baseline level of respect for others, regardless of their background.”
Guzman-Barrera joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Guzman-Barrera serves as an interior communications electrician.
“I joined the Navy to help my family with their immigration status,” said Guzman-Barrera. “I am a first-generation military member so this career is different than anything else my family is doing.”
Naval Air Station Oceana serves as the Navy’s East Coast Master Jet Base. The flight line, Apollo Soucek Field, is home to 17 aviation squadrons and hosts the F/A-18 Super Hornet.
The Super Hornet is one of the most advanced aircraft in the world, according to Navy officials. The aircraft takes off from and lands on Navy aircraft carriers at sea and is capable of conducting air-to-air combat as well as striking targets on land.
Navy aircraft carriers are designed for a 50-year service life. When the air wing is embarked, the ship carries more than 70 attack fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft, all of which take off from and land aboard the carrier at sea. With more than 5,000 sailors serving aboard, the aircraft carrier is a self-contained mobile airport.
Aircraft carriers are often the first response to a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans.
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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Guzman-Barrera serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
"We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day," said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. "Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs."
Guzman-Barrera has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is becoming a third class petty officer,” said Guzman-Barrera. “I entered the Navy as a seaman recruit so when I received my promotion, it brought back memories of arriving at my first ship and made me realize how far I have come.”
Guzman-Barrera can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means I get to protect my country and have a career outside of what is expected of me,” said Guzman-Barrera. “My dad works in hardwood flooring, so my career path is quite different from his. As an electrician, I'm responsible for maintaining the alarm systems necessary for safety. It makes me feel good to keep people safe.”
Guzman-Barrera is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my dad, Jaime Guzman, for supporting my decision to join the Navy, even though he thought it was unsafe,” added Guzman-Barrera. “I would also like to thank my husband, Edgar Barrera, for teaching me most of what I know about being an interior communications specialist. My whole family has been supportive of my personal goal to finish my degree in engineering. I would like to create things that make life easier for people as a way to pay it forward for all the generosity I have seen in my life.”