SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 3rd Class Zailly Pleites, a native of Endicott, New York, was inspired to join the Navy for the many opportunities it offered.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
“I wanted to travel, make a difference somehow, help others and go back to school,” Pleites said.
Now, two years later, Pleites serves aboard one of the Navy’s amphibious ships at Naval Base San Diego.
“I love it," Pleites said. "It's hard, but it's what you make of it and it's what you signed up for. You're here to work. Everyone looks out for you. Everyone is helpful and some people are honestly like family. Our chain of command has our backs 100 percent and they look out for us.”
Pleites, a 2007 graduate of Washington Irving High School, is a culinary specialist aboard USS Essex, one of four Wasp-class amphibious assault ships in the Navy, homeported in San Diego.
“Right now I'm a work center supervisor,” Pleites said. “I'm responsible for all the maintenance of our division in supply.”
Pleites credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Endicott.
“Growing up, my mom always taught me to work hard for whatever I want,” Pleites said. “That's what got me to where I am now.”
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.
Serving in the Navy means Pleites 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, Pleites is most proud of being on the Small Craft Action Team (SCAT), which is the ship’s quick reaction force.
"I'm the only culinary specialist that's on the SCAT team,” Pleites said. “We're first on the defense for the ship. I joined to protect and serve and I get to protect everyone on the ship and the people I care for, including the country and my mom.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Pleites 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 means honor," Pleites said. "Everyone depends on us so that's something huge."
Now, two years later, Pleites serves aboard one of the Navy’s amphibious ships at Naval Base San Diego.
“I love it," Pleites said. "It's hard, but it's what you make of it and it's what you signed up for. You're here to work. Everyone looks out for you. Everyone is helpful and some people are honestly like family. Our chain of command has our backs 100 percent and they look out for us.”
Pleites, a 2007 graduate of Washington Irving High School, is a culinary specialist aboard USS Essex, one of four Wasp-class amphibious assault ships in the Navy, homeported in San Diego.
“Right now I'm a work center supervisor,” Pleites said. “I'm responsible for all the maintenance of our division in supply.”
Pleites credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Endicott.
“Growing up, my mom always taught me to work hard for whatever I want,” Pleites said. “That's what got me to where I am now.”
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.
Serving in the Navy means Pleites 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, Pleites is most proud of being on the Small Craft Action Team (SCAT), which is the ship’s quick reaction force.
"I'm the only culinary specialist that's on the SCAT team,” Pleites said. “We're first on the defense for the ship. I joined to protect and serve and I get to protect everyone on the ship and the people I care for, including the country and my mom.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Pleites 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 means honor," Pleites said. "Everyone depends on us so that's something huge."