SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 2nd Class Guadalupe Quebrado, a native of Oxnard, California, serves aboard USS Essex, a U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship operating out of San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Oxnard.
“My mother instilled in me a hard work ethic and the ability to learn from anyone, regardless of their background,” Quebrado said. “Both of my parents are farm workers. I’d tell my mom I was tired, and she’d say, ‘Be thankful you’re tired. It means you’ve got a job.’ I come from a strong agricultural city where the farm workers are working day in, day out without complaint to provide for their family and I try to do the same while in the military.”
Quebrado joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Quebrado serves as an air traffic controller.
“I joined the Navy because I’ve always been passionate about the military and what they do,” Quebrado said. “Coming from Oxnard, there is a Seabee base and ROTC program at my high school. I joined the ROTC program to give me further appreciation for the military. I did it all four years. I wanted to be an inspiration for my three younger brothers and work toward something with a bigger purpose.”
Amphibious assault ships, such as Essex, project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the Amphibious Readiness Group / Expeditionary Strike Group.
Resembling a small aircraft carrier, amphibious assault ships offer the Marine Corps with a means of ship-to-shore movement, provide humanitarian assistance and support major combat operations. More than 1,000 serve aboard Essex with an additional 1,200 Marines capable of being embarked.
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.
Quebrado has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I take pride in becoming qualified as a Certified Tower Operator and becoming a tower supervisor as an air traffic controller,” Quebrado said. “It is an opportunity I never would have thought was possible. Growing up, I didn’t know this was even a job option.”
Quebrado 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 I can make a difference and ensure the safety of the fleet and pilots, especially with the current events going on in the world today,” Quebrado said.
Quebrado is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“There are too many people to thank individually, but from the good and the bad, the mentors and experiences I’ve had in my short time have molded me into the leader I am today,” Quebrado added. “If I can shout out someone while onboard Essex, I’d like to thank my mentor, Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Erica Gibbs, for all she’s done for me. I also want to thank my mom, Ana, for everything she’s sacrificed for me to be here, and my stepdad, Alejandro, for always being there for me and never making me feel like he wasn’t my dad.”