SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 2nd Class Israel Castro, a native of Bronx, New York, was inspired to join the Navy for a stable new career.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
“I had a rough upbringing so I wanted to join a career and take care of my future family,” Castro said. “My uncle died in 9/11. That's one of the reasons I wanted to be a hospital corpsman.”
Now, Castro serves aboard one of the Navy’s amphibious ships at Naval Base San Diego.
“You have to get acclimated,” Castro said. "Once you get acclimated it's very beneficial. It’s a much larger crew. It's definitely a lot better than being on a smaller ship. It's an experience.”
Castro, a graduate of New York City Museum High School, is a hospital corpsman aboard USS Essex, one of four Wasp-class amphibious assault ships in the Navy, homeported in San Diego.
“I’m one of two preventive medical technicians” Castro said. “We manage 21 programs afloat, which includes checking for heat stress, inspecting the galleys to prevent foodborne illnesses, testing potable water, and conducting safety briefs. It's quite a bit of work.”
Castro credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Bronx.
“One of biggest life lessons I learned was resilience,” Castro said. “My mom told me the only thing you can’t fix is death. Resilience is a true measure of your character.”
Essex is designed to deliver U.S. Marines and their equipment where they are needed to support a variety of missions ranging from amphibious assaults to humanitarian relief efforts. Designed to be versatile, the ship has the option of simultaneously using helicopters, Harrier jets, and Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCAC), as well as conventional landing craft and assault vehicles in various combinations.
Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice.
Sailors' jobs are highly varied aboard Essex. More than 1,000 men and women make up the ship's crew, which keeps all parts of the ship running smoothly, from handling weaponry to maintaining the engines. An additional 1,200 Marines can be embarked.
“It’s a sense of brotherhood,” Castro said. “As hospital corpsmen, we are used to being around Marines. We're like brothers-in-arms and have respect for each other.”
Serving in the Navy means Castro 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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Castro is most proud of being recognized as the USS Essex 2018 Sailor of the Year.
“It brings a sense of not only what I've done, but also what my leadership, peers and juniors, past and present, have done as well,” Castro said. “I couldn't have done it by myself. I want other people to know that hard work pays off and this accolade allows me to help other people and help guide them.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Castro and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy is very personal to me,” Castro said. “I also lost a cousin in Afghanistan so it means a lot. Being in the Navy also allows me to provide for my family. This is a career foundation for your aspirations after the Navy as well.”
Now, Castro serves aboard one of the Navy’s amphibious ships at Naval Base San Diego.
“You have to get acclimated,” Castro said. "Once you get acclimated it's very beneficial. It’s a much larger crew. It's definitely a lot better than being on a smaller ship. It's an experience.”
Castro, a graduate of New York City Museum High School, is a hospital corpsman aboard USS Essex, one of four Wasp-class amphibious assault ships in the Navy, homeported in San Diego.
“I’m one of two preventive medical technicians” Castro said. “We manage 21 programs afloat, which includes checking for heat stress, inspecting the galleys to prevent foodborne illnesses, testing potable water, and conducting safety briefs. It's quite a bit of work.”
Castro credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Bronx.
“One of biggest life lessons I learned was resilience,” Castro said. “My mom told me the only thing you can’t fix is death. Resilience is a true measure of your character.”
Essex is designed to deliver U.S. Marines and their equipment where they are needed to support a variety of missions ranging from amphibious assaults to humanitarian relief efforts. Designed to be versatile, the ship has the option of simultaneously using helicopters, Harrier jets, and Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCAC), as well as conventional landing craft and assault vehicles in various combinations.
Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice.
Sailors' jobs are highly varied aboard Essex. More than 1,000 men and women make up the ship's crew, which keeps all parts of the ship running smoothly, from handling weaponry to maintaining the engines. An additional 1,200 Marines can be embarked.
“It’s a sense of brotherhood,” Castro said. “As hospital corpsmen, we are used to being around Marines. We're like brothers-in-arms and have respect for each other.”
Serving in the Navy means Castro 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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Castro is most proud of being recognized as the USS Essex 2018 Sailor of the Year.
“It brings a sense of not only what I've done, but also what my leadership, peers and juniors, past and present, have done as well,” Castro said. “I couldn't have done it by myself. I want other people to know that hard work pays off and this accolade allows me to help other people and help guide them.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Castro and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy is very personal to me,” Castro said. “I also lost a cousin in Afghanistan so it means a lot. Being in the Navy also allows me to provide for my family. This is a career foundation for your aspirations after the Navy as well.”