SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 1st Class Melody Parungo, from Pago Pago, American Samoa, serves the U.S. Navy at Naval Base Point Loma.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Parungo graduated from Faga'itua High School in 2013. Additionally, Parungo earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from American Samoa Community College in 2014 and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in homeland security from University of Maryland Global Campus.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Pago Pago
“I learned the importance of gratitude and discipline growing up,” Parungo said. "Coming from nothing, I was raised to appreciate everything and to never forget my humble beginnings. My upbringing was also very strict and I was expected to respect everyone. At first it was a culture shock when I arrived to the mainland for training but the transition eventually became smooth for me."
Parungo joined the Navy 10 years ago. Today, Parungo serves as a master-at-arms.
“I joined the Navy primarily for the benefits,” Parungo said. "I grew up in a poor village where internet, cell service and grocery stores didn’t exist. However, I had big dreams. I wanted to travel, see the world and experience life on my own. I also joined to get out of my shell, to try new things, to continue school and to be financially stable. So far, I have been fortunate enough to turn my little girl's dreams into reality thanks to the military.”
Naval Base Point Loma provides support to 70 U.S. Pacific Fleet commands headquartered on the base, including five nuclear-powered fast attack submarines. The base is also home to Cabrillo National Park and the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, which averages more than 1.2 million visitors annually.
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.
Parungo has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I have so many accomplishments I am proud of,” Parungo said. “I’m proud of the awards I’ve earned and making petty officer first class so quickly. I was also selected as Senior Sailor of the Year for Navy Region Southwest which was another big accomplishment for me. I am also proud of buying a house, paying off my car, traveling and keeping my mental health intact. It can be hard sometimes to keep your mental health intact in the Navy but I bounced back and now I am on the road to making chief.”
Parungo 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 that I am making a difference and positively representing my territory in American Samoa,” Parungo said.
Parungo is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I want to thank God first and foremost for everything,” Parungo added. “I am thankful for all his blessings and I don’t know where I would be without him. I want to thank my mom, Fiailoa, for raising me to be respectful and to appreciate the things I have. I want to thank my soon-to-be husband, Raymond, for being my biggest support mentor. Lastly, I would like to show my appreciation to the mentors I've met along the way and all the friends who became family in the military.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Pago Pago
“I learned the importance of gratitude and discipline growing up,” Parungo said. "Coming from nothing, I was raised to appreciate everything and to never forget my humble beginnings. My upbringing was also very strict and I was expected to respect everyone. At first it was a culture shock when I arrived to the mainland for training but the transition eventually became smooth for me."
Parungo joined the Navy 10 years ago. Today, Parungo serves as a master-at-arms.
“I joined the Navy primarily for the benefits,” Parungo said. "I grew up in a poor village where internet, cell service and grocery stores didn’t exist. However, I had big dreams. I wanted to travel, see the world and experience life on my own. I also joined to get out of my shell, to try new things, to continue school and to be financially stable. So far, I have been fortunate enough to turn my little girl's dreams into reality thanks to the military.”
Naval Base Point Loma provides support to 70 U.S. Pacific Fleet commands headquartered on the base, including five nuclear-powered fast attack submarines. The base is also home to Cabrillo National Park and the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, which averages more than 1.2 million visitors annually.
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.
Parungo has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I have so many accomplishments I am proud of,” Parungo said. “I’m proud of the awards I’ve earned and making petty officer first class so quickly. I was also selected as Senior Sailor of the Year for Navy Region Southwest which was another big accomplishment for me. I am also proud of buying a house, paying off my car, traveling and keeping my mental health intact. It can be hard sometimes to keep your mental health intact in the Navy but I bounced back and now I am on the road to making chief.”
Parungo 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 that I am making a difference and positively representing my territory in American Samoa,” Parungo said.
Parungo is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I want to thank God first and foremost for everything,” Parungo added. “I am thankful for all his blessings and I don’t know where I would be without him. I want to thank my mom, Fiailoa, for raising me to be respectful and to appreciate the things I have. I want to thank my soon-to-be husband, Raymond, for being my biggest support mentor. Lastly, I would like to show my appreciation to the mentors I've met along the way and all the friends who became family in the military.”