SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Gamma Hernandez, a native of Los Angeles, serves the U.S. Navy at Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) 1 operating out of San Diego, California.
Gamma Hernandez graduated from TEACH Tech Charter High School in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Los Angeles.
“I learned growing up to always hold myself to a high standard and to want more for myself,” Gamma Hernandez said. “My brother was a Marine and he taught me to always aim for more. In the Navy, holding yourself to a high standard makes you stand out and be seen as someone who is responsible.”
Gamma Hernandez joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Gamma Hernandez serves as a steelworker.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to have a better career and a better future for myself,” Gamma Hernandez said. “I also didn’t want to follow the path everyone else in my community did. I wanted a better future for myself and something that would set me up for success. I also wanted to see the world differently. The Navy has changed my perspective and I like it.”
ACB 1’s primary mission is to provide logistics over-the-shore support for Amphibious Ready Group, Marine Expeditionary Force and Maritime Prepositioning Force operations, including ship-to-shore transportation of combat cargo, bulk fuel/water and tactical camp operations.
With a combination of Seabee and fleet rates, ACB-1 is skilled at offloading equipment through Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) operations, as well as providing camp support, perimeter defense, and limited construction support. Fleet rates qualify as craft masters and deck engineers and are proficient in operating and maintaining INLS. Seabee rates such as builders, steelworkers, electricians, equipment operators, construction mechanics and engineering aides provide construction services. Additional deployable Seabee units include Naval Mobile Construction Battalions, Construction Battalion Maintenance Units, and Underwater Construction Teams, which all make up the U.S. Naval Construction Forces.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Gamma Hernandez has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of becoming a steelworker and becoming a Seabee because that is what I wanted to be when I first joined the Navy,” Gamma Hernandez said. “I wanted to work with my hands, and that was one of the things that interested me.”
Gamma Hernandez serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means sacrificing my free time to make sure that others are safe,” Gamma Hernandez said. “It also means making my family proud and doing something for the service members who came before me. I want to continue that legacy and defend my country because not a lot of people do. My parents made sacrifices for me to be here, so I want to make sacrifices for the country that gave my parents so much.”
Gamma Hernandez is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Daniel Gonzalez and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Bryan Sanchez, for leading me on the right path and for explaining what to expect in my Navy career,” Gamma Hernandez added. “They treat me like a human being and always give me advice to make me a better sailor. I also want to thank my parents, Hector Gamma and Maria Hernandez. Knowing they are proud of me always keeps me going and makes me want to continue. Lastly, I want to thank my wife, Samantha Cisneros, for inspiring and motivating me to keep going. Just thinking of her helps me stay positive.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Gamma Hernandez graduated from TEACH Tech Charter High School in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Los Angeles.
“I learned growing up to always hold myself to a high standard and to want more for myself,” Gamma Hernandez said. “My brother was a Marine and he taught me to always aim for more. In the Navy, holding yourself to a high standard makes you stand out and be seen as someone who is responsible.”
Gamma Hernandez joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Gamma Hernandez serves as a steelworker.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to have a better career and a better future for myself,” Gamma Hernandez said. “I also didn’t want to follow the path everyone else in my community did. I wanted a better future for myself and something that would set me up for success. I also wanted to see the world differently. The Navy has changed my perspective and I like it.”
ACB 1’s primary mission is to provide logistics over-the-shore support for Amphibious Ready Group, Marine Expeditionary Force and Maritime Prepositioning Force operations, including ship-to-shore transportation of combat cargo, bulk fuel/water and tactical camp operations.
With a combination of Seabee and fleet rates, ACB-1 is skilled at offloading equipment through Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) operations, as well as providing camp support, perimeter defense, and limited construction support. Fleet rates qualify as craft masters and deck engineers and are proficient in operating and maintaining INLS. Seabee rates such as builders, steelworkers, electricians, equipment operators, construction mechanics and engineering aides provide construction services. Additional deployable Seabee units include Naval Mobile Construction Battalions, Construction Battalion Maintenance Units, and Underwater Construction Teams, which all make up the U.S. Naval Construction Forces.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Gamma Hernandez has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of becoming a steelworker and becoming a Seabee because that is what I wanted to be when I first joined the Navy,” Gamma Hernandez said. “I wanted to work with my hands, and that was one of the things that interested me.”
Gamma Hernandez serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means sacrificing my free time to make sure that others are safe,” Gamma Hernandez said. “It also means making my family proud and doing something for the service members who came before me. I want to continue that legacy and defend my country because not a lot of people do. My parents made sacrifices for me to be here, so I want to make sacrifices for the country that gave my parents so much.”
Gamma Hernandez is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Daniel Gonzalez and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Bryan Sanchez, for leading me on the right path and for explaining what to expect in my Navy career,” Gamma Hernandez added. “They treat me like a human being and always give me advice to make me a better sailor. I also want to thank my parents, Hector Gamma and Maria Hernandez. Knowing they are proud of me always keeps me going and makes me want to continue. Lastly, I want to thank my wife, Samantha Cisneros, for inspiring and motivating me to keep going. Just thinking of her helps me stay positive.”