Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2007 Cypress Creek High School graduate and Orlando, Florida, native is serving with a U.S. Navy team that supports one of the Navy’s most advanced aircraft, one with an important mission: keeping watch over the skies and oceans of the world.
Petty Officer 1st Class Mareli E. Rivera is a Navy counselor serving with Airborne Command and Control and Logistics Wing, which operates out of Norfolk, Virginia. As a Navy Navy counselor, Rivera is responsible for managing human resources and helping sailors with goals they have for the Navy or civilian world.
Rivera credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Orlando.
“Growing up, my parents always taught me that no matter what type of job you are doing, just try to be the best and people will notice and take care of you,” said Rivera. “It’s important to treat everyone with respect from the commanding officer to the janitor that cleans your spaces.”
Members of the Airborne Command and Control and Logistics Wing offer East Coast squadrons a local support staff element for daily administrative, operational and readiness assistance. They provide the ability to conduct sustained combat operations through community leadership, aircraft weapon systems management, operational coordination, tasking, safety awareness, supply support, training and education.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, 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.
Rivera is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of National Defense Strategy.
“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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Rivera is most proud of serving for nine years.
“I came in telling myself I would only do four years,” said Rivera. “Before the Navy, I wasn't really on the right path so being able to have this stability has done a lot for me.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Rivera, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Rivera is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather was drafted during Vietnam,” said Rivera. “My brother is six years younger and my sister is nine years younger and they are always looking up to me as an example They joined ROTC in high school cause of my example.”
According to Navy officials, with just a handful of sailors assigned to the team, jobs are highly specialized and demand each sailor’s utmost efforts to keep each part of the Hawkeye and Greyhound communities running smoothly. This includes training new aviators, maintaining airframes and engines, or handling and flying the aircraft.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Rivera and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy is a sense of pride,” added Rivera. “Not everyone gets to do this. There is so much sacrifice involved. Being able to say that I have served is rewarding.”
Rivera credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Orlando.
“Growing up, my parents always taught me that no matter what type of job you are doing, just try to be the best and people will notice and take care of you,” said Rivera. “It’s important to treat everyone with respect from the commanding officer to the janitor that cleans your spaces.”
Members of the Airborne Command and Control and Logistics Wing offer East Coast squadrons a local support staff element for daily administrative, operational and readiness assistance. They provide the ability to conduct sustained combat operations through community leadership, aircraft weapon systems management, operational coordination, tasking, safety awareness, supply support, training and education.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, 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.
Rivera is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of National Defense Strategy.
“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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Rivera is most proud of serving for nine years.
“I came in telling myself I would only do four years,” said Rivera. “Before the Navy, I wasn't really on the right path so being able to have this stability has done a lot for me.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Rivera, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Rivera is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather was drafted during Vietnam,” said Rivera. “My brother is six years younger and my sister is nine years younger and they are always looking up to me as an example They joined ROTC in high school cause of my example.”
According to Navy officials, with just a handful of sailors assigned to the team, jobs are highly specialized and demand each sailor’s utmost efforts to keep each part of the Hawkeye and Greyhound communities running smoothly. This includes training new aviators, maintaining airframes and engines, or handling and flying the aircraft.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Rivera and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy is a sense of pride,” added Rivera. “Not everyone gets to do this. There is so much sacrifice involved. Being able to say that I have served is rewarding.”