BOSTON - Petty Officer 2nd Class George Cardenas, a native of Las Animas, Colorado, is one of more than 60 sailors celebrating America’s 249 years of independence while serving aboard USS Constitution, the Navy’s oldest commissioned warship.
Cardenas graduated from Cheraw High School in 2020. Additionally, Cardenas is working toward an associate degree through Otero College.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Las Animas.
“Las Animas is a small community, and growing up there taught me to know how to venture out for resources when I need to,” Cardenas said. “It also taught me to have a good work ethic, to be kind and to have respect for others.”
Cardenas joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Cardenas serves as a mass communication specialist.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted independence, financial stability and to serve my country,” Cardenas said. “I wanted to be able to support myself and not have the stress of having to ask others for help. I’m proud of my country and wanted to do something greater than myself, which gives me a sense of purpose.”
Launched from a Boston shipyard in October 1797, Constitution is the only surviving vessel of the Navy’s original six frigates and is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat. The ship earned the nickname “Old Ironsides” during the War of 1812 after British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull. Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured or destroyed 33 enemy vessels in its nearly 60 years of active service.
Now, 227 years after its launch, Constitution’s primary mission is education and outreach, welcoming more than 500,000 visitors aboard each year. Its crew of more than 60 sailors is hand-picked to preserve and protect Constitution, while promoting naval history, maritime heritage and raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence. The ship’s original missions of defending American interests and protecting sea lanes to ensure commerce remain at the forefront of the Navy’s mission today.
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.
Cardenas has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of leading sailors, meeting the Prime Minister of Japan and deploying overseas,” Cardenas said. “Leading sailors lets me show my leadership style and show what I’m capable of. Being a leader allows me to help my sailors accomplish the mission and put my name on the accomplishments of the ship. The experience of meeting a head of state, such as the Prime Minister of Japan, meant a great deal to me because I was able to represent my community and the Navy. My deployment overseas was a fun experience. It’s something not many people get to do, and it helped me learn about other cultures and get a greater scope of the world.”
Cardenas 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 becoming a professional, developing a community and performing a service for the country,” Cardenas said.
Cardenas is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my aunt, Mary Cardenas, who served as an aviation storekeeper’s mate,” Cardenas added. “She had some influence on my decision to join the Navy. She’s still someone I know I can talk to who understands. I also want to thank Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Raymond Minami, Lt. Patrick Caldwell, Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Matthew White and Lt. j.g. Rebecca Moore, as they had a significant influence on my upbringing in the Navy. They helped me become what I am today.”
Cardenas graduated from Cheraw High School in 2020. Additionally, Cardenas is working toward an associate degree through Otero College.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Las Animas.
“Las Animas is a small community, and growing up there taught me to know how to venture out for resources when I need to,” Cardenas said. “It also taught me to have a good work ethic, to be kind and to have respect for others.”
Cardenas joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Cardenas serves as a mass communication specialist.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted independence, financial stability and to serve my country,” Cardenas said. “I wanted to be able to support myself and not have the stress of having to ask others for help. I’m proud of my country and wanted to do something greater than myself, which gives me a sense of purpose.”
Launched from a Boston shipyard in October 1797, Constitution is the only surviving vessel of the Navy’s original six frigates and is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat. The ship earned the nickname “Old Ironsides” during the War of 1812 after British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull. Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured or destroyed 33 enemy vessels in its nearly 60 years of active service.
Now, 227 years after its launch, Constitution’s primary mission is education and outreach, welcoming more than 500,000 visitors aboard each year. Its crew of more than 60 sailors is hand-picked to preserve and protect Constitution, while promoting naval history, maritime heritage and raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence. The ship’s original missions of defending American interests and protecting sea lanes to ensure commerce remain at the forefront of the Navy’s mission today.
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.
Cardenas has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of leading sailors, meeting the Prime Minister of Japan and deploying overseas,” Cardenas said. “Leading sailors lets me show my leadership style and show what I’m capable of. Being a leader allows me to help my sailors accomplish the mission and put my name on the accomplishments of the ship. The experience of meeting a head of state, such as the Prime Minister of Japan, meant a great deal to me because I was able to represent my community and the Navy. My deployment overseas was a fun experience. It’s something not many people get to do, and it helped me learn about other cultures and get a greater scope of the world.”
Cardenas 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 becoming a professional, developing a community and performing a service for the country,” Cardenas said.
Cardenas is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my aunt, Mary Cardenas, who served as an aviation storekeeper’s mate,” Cardenas added. “She had some influence on my decision to join the Navy. She’s still someone I know I can talk to who understands. I also want to thank Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Raymond Minami, Lt. Patrick Caldwell, Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Matthew White and Lt. j.g. Rebecca Moore, as they had a significant influence on my upbringing in the Navy. They helped me become what I am today.”