SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 3rd Class Wenny Vallecera, a native of Wailuku, Hawaii, always wanted to join the Navy.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown |
Now, two years later, Vallecera serves aboard one of the Navy’s amphibious ships at Naval Base San Diego.
“It’s fun and I have a lot friends," said Vallecera. "The work is great, and I am always learning something.”
“It’s fun and I have a lot friends," said Vallecera. "The work is great, and I am always learning something.”
Vallecera, a 2016 graduate of Henry Perrine Baldwin 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 work on the executive side," said Vallecera. "I process all the pay and admin paperwork for all the sailors on the ship.”
Vallecera credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Wailuku.
“I learned to take everyhting easy and not to let the work stress you out,” said Vallecera. “Take everything step by step and maintain a good work life balance.”
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 hardworking individuals,” said Vallecera.
Serving in the Navy means Vallecera 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, Vallecera is most proud of making petty officer third class.
“I was undesignated and I recently picked up my rate and rank,” said Vallecera. “It means that my hard work is paying off. I wanted to work in admin so I was excited when I picked up my rate.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Vallecera and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“I get to to serve my country, travel the world and experience new things that I would not have done if I had not joined the military,” added Vallecera.