SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 2nd Class Irene Egaran, a native of Manilla, Philippines, wanted to take care of her family.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
Now, four years after enlisting in the U.S. Navy, Egaran serves aboard one of the Navy’s amphibious ships at Naval Base San Diego.
“It is always busy, especially in the admin office where I work,” said Egaran. “Customer service is very important. We service over 1,000 sailors aboard the ship in port.”
Egaran, a 1997 graduate of Sto. Nino High School, is a personnel specialist aboard USS Essex, one of four Wasp-class amphibious assault ships in the Navy, homeported in San Diego.
“I am responsible for all pay and computer access card issues for sailors assigned to the ship,” said Egaran.
Egaran credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Manilla.
“I learned the value of working hard,” said Egaran. “I learned to respect leaders that I serve under.”
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.
“The Marines are very fast paced, they are always ready and on the go,” said Egaran.
Serving in the Navy means Egaran 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, Egaran is most proud of her education.
“I earned my bachelor's degree and I am working on my master's degree in human resources,” said Egaran. “In the future my education will help me to become a good leading petty officer in the admin department to better serve my fellow shipmates.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Egaran 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 that I get to have stabiliy for me and my family,” said Egaran. “I have good benefits and can buy a house to provide for my family. I am grateful for the opportunities the Navy has given me and I get a chance to give back to my country.”
“It is always busy, especially in the admin office where I work,” said Egaran. “Customer service is very important. We service over 1,000 sailors aboard the ship in port.”
Egaran, a 1997 graduate of Sto. Nino High School, is a personnel specialist aboard USS Essex, one of four Wasp-class amphibious assault ships in the Navy, homeported in San Diego.
“I am responsible for all pay and computer access card issues for sailors assigned to the ship,” said Egaran.
Egaran credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Manilla.
“I learned the value of working hard,” said Egaran. “I learned to respect leaders that I serve under.”
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.
“The Marines are very fast paced, they are always ready and on the go,” said Egaran.
Serving in the Navy means Egaran 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, Egaran is most proud of her education.
“I earned my bachelor's degree and I am working on my master's degree in human resources,” said Egaran. “In the future my education will help me to become a good leading petty officer in the admin department to better serve my fellow shipmates.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Egaran 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 that I get to have stabiliy for me and my family,” said Egaran. “I have good benefits and can buy a house to provide for my family. I am grateful for the opportunities the Navy has given me and I get a chance to give back to my country.”