YOKOSUKA, Japan – Senior Chief Petty Officer Victor Shiquitoguerrero, a native of Dallas, said that “like everybody else,” he chose the Navy for travel, educational opportunity and a sense of adventure.
 |
| Photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward |
“Life is very easy here,” he said. “You get used to the routine and the mission and you do your best to take care of the crew under your supervision.”
Shiquitoguerrero, a 1992 graduate of Sunset High School, is a culinary specialist aboard the Yokosuka, Japan-based ship, one of several in its class forward-deployed to the region. He serves as the supply department chief in charge of three divisions that handle everything from parts and supplies for ship, to all the meals, laundry services and haircuts.
“We’re taking care of everyone else so they can do their job,” said Shiquitoguerrero.
Shiquitoguerrero credits part of his success in the Navy to lessons learned as a young immigrant from Mexico to Dallas.
“I was born in Mexico, and life there wasn't so simple,” he said. “My grandfather told me that a good worker is a good worker anywhere – if they ask you to clean a toilet, clean that toilet the best. Stay humble, understand who you are, treat everybody with respect, and those will be the secrets to your success.”
U.S. 7th Fleet spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South. U.S. 7th Fleet's area of operations encompasses 36 maritime countries and 50 percent of the world’s population with between 50-70 U.S. ships and submarines, 140 aircraft, and approximately 20,000 sailors.
“The crews here on destroyers are better than anywhere else I've seen,” he said. “We have to be ready to go whenever they need us to, so sailors are more mature here, they understand the mission better, and the host nation is very accommodating to us here, no one gives you any trouble. It's really an eye opener for people who've never been here before, they've taught me a lot of things I can use back home.”
With more than 50 percent of the world's shipping tonnage and a third of the world's crude oil passing through the region, the United States has historic and enduring interests in this part of the world. The Navy's presence in Yokosuka is part of that long-standing commitment.
"The Navy is forward-deployed to provide security and strengthen relationships in a free and open Indo-Pacific. It's not just the ships and aircraft that have shown up to prevent conflict and promote peace," said Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. "It is, and will continue to be our people who define the role our Navy plays around the world. People who've made a choice, and have the will and strength of character to make a difference."
Destroyers are warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. They are 510 feet long and armed with tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, Standard Missile-3 and newer variants of the SM missile family, advanced gun systems and close-in gun systems.
Destroyers are deployed globally and can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, or amphibious readiness groups. Their presence helps the Navy control the sea. Sea control is the precondition for everything else the Navy does. It cannot project power, secure the commons, deter aggression, or assure allies without the ability to control the seas when and where desired.
Curtis Wilbur has anti-aircraft capability armed with long range missiles intended for air defense to counter the threat to friendly forces posed by manned aircraft, anti-ship, cruise and tactical ballistic missiles.
Serving in the Navy means Shiquitoguerrero is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
There are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career. Shiquitoguerrero is simply proud to have the chance to serve.
“Since I joined, I knew it was going to be something new, something different,” he said. “This country gave me an opportunity, and opened the door to me and gave better opportunities to my children, so just donning the uniform is already one of my biggest accomplishments. My family is very proud of what I do.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Shiquitoguerrero and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“You will learn life lessons serving in the Navy,” he said. “Here, you're joining an organization with people from all over the world. You're going to learn a lot from dealing with people of all different ethnic groups living and working together under one roof, pursuing one mission. You can't be afraid of it. Understand that there will be some challenges, but at the end of the day, it's a very rewarding experience.”