OAK HARBOR, Wash. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicholas Trano, a native of Lexington, Massachusetts, joined the Navy following a tradition of family service and to have a life with purpose.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marc Cuenca |
“As someone who lost their original rating (job), when I showed up to my command I was very bitter about the Navy,” said Trano. "The Cougars' culture of taking care of and mentoring each other helped me turn things around, and the last three years have been better than I ever would have expected."
Trano, a 2013 graduate of Lexington High School, is an culinary specialist with Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139, a high-tech electronic attack squadron capable of altering the outcome of any engagement with the EA-18G “Growler.”
“As a Navy culinary specialist, I'm responsible for making sure sailors get fed,” said Trano. "However, at my rank that becomes less of a concern than managing and taking care of the people under me who directly accomplish those tasks."
Trano credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Lexington.
“The public school system in Lexington prepared me to absorb large amounts of information quickly, which has been very helpful on promotion exams,” said Trano.
Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139's primary mission is to conduct airborne electronic warfare while embarked with a carrier air wing. They deploy with aircraft carriers to project electronic attack dominance anywhere in the world at any time. This includes suppression of enemy radar systems, sensor jamming and electronic protection.
The EA-18G “Growler” is the most advanced airborne electronic attack (AEA) platform in production today, according to Navy officials. The Navy invests in advanced “Growler” capabilities to ensure it continues to protect all strike aircraft during high-threat missions for decades to come.
“The fact that a single Growler can fly into any area where we need to fight and completely shut down the enemy's entire communications system as well as its air defense has always been pretty cool to me,” said Trano.
Serving in the Navy means Trano 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, Trano is most proud of achieving the rank of second class petty officer.
“I studied hard and worked harder,” said Trano. "My mentor at the time, a former first class who has since became a chief, Reikowski, wrote me a glowing performance evaluation and when I took the test I was one of the only in my job to get promoted while deployed on the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Trano and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“To me, the most important part about serving in the Navy is taking care of the people under you; people who willingly volunteered for one of the most stressful jobs in the country,” said Trano. “When I think of my time in the Navy, I think about the people I've met and the lives I've hopefully changed for the better.”