NORFOLK, Va. - Petty Officer 2nd Class John-Michael Cabral, a native of Hampton, Virginia, serves aboard USS George H.W. Bush, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.
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Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sylvie Carafiol Navy Public Affairs Support Element East |
Cabral graduated from Menchville High School in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Hampton.
“My father taught me early on not to let negativity affect me,” Cabral said. "This has helped me in my naval career because the job has to be done, and then you have to get ready for the next evolution. You have to stay excited and be able to look forward to the next thing."
Cabral joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Cabral serves as a cryptologic technician (technical).
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to visit other countries and consistently save money, and I've been able to do both of those things,” Cabral said.
Commissioned in 2009, the aircraft carrier is named for George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States and a former naval aviator. The ship was the first aircraft carrier to have its namesake participate in its christening.
Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.
The Navy’s aircraft carriers are among the largest warships in the world. Bush is longer than three football fields at 1,092 feet. The ship is 252 feet wide and weighs more than 100,000 tons. More than 5,000 sailors serve aboard these self-contained mobile airports.
According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and combat capability of its air wing.
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.
Cabral has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment has been becoming fully qualified in my job,” Cabral said. "Now I get to train other people, and watching them learn makes me so proud, and now they can help me and the rest of the department, and that makes everyone's life easier."
Cabral 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 there is always room for improvement, and I always have something to look forward to,” Cabral said. "I'll be going to shore duty in Hawaii soon, and I can't wait to get that started."
Cabral is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my dad, Jose Miguel Cabral, and my mom, Eladia, for always being supportive and waiting for me to get things done because I do sometimes take a while to get it,” Cabral added. "My dad gave me a good idea of what to expect in the Navy because he served as an aviation machinist’s mate for 20 years. I also want to thank Ayanna Goodman for being supportive and sticking with me and understanding where I'm coming from (she also serves in the Navy as an intelligence specialist)."
“I am working on my Information Warfare pin and hope to finish that by the end of this year,” Cabral said.