SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Murdolo, a native of Coram, New York, serves in the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne |
“I joined the Navy because I didn't know what I wanted to do for a career, and I liked the opportunities that the Navy offered,” said Murdolo.
Murdolo joined the Navy seven and a half years ago. Today, Murdolo serves with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN THREE (HSM 73) in San Diego, working with one of the Navy’s most advanced helicopters, the MH-60R Seahawk.
Growing up in Coram, Murdolo attended St. John the Baptist High School and graduated in 2013. Today, Murdolo uses the same skills and values learned in Coram to succeed in the military.
“My mom taught me to always be kind and to keep a level head when I'm upset,” said Murdolo. “My dad, who was my first boss, gave me a strong work ethic and he instilled in me that hard work really does pay off. It made me want to always do my best.
These lessons have helped Murdolo while serving in the Navy.
Navy pilots and aircrew at HSM 73 constantly train to ensure they are prepared for peacetime and warfighting missions. According to Navy officials, the MH-60R is the most capable multi-mission helicopter available in the world today. It is used for a variety of missions, including hunting and tracking enemy submarines, attacking enemy ships, search and rescue, drug interdiction, delivering supplies and supporting the Navy’s special operations forces.
"The BattleCats of HSM 73 proudly provide advanced mission capability and readiness to America's Navy,” said Cmdr. Rich “Speed” Christoff, HSM 73 commanding officer. “Our sailors come from every corner of the nation and the world, bringing their expertise and fighting spirit to a unit that I'm extremely proud to command."
Serving in the Navy means Murdolo is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus, rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“With all of the uncertainty in the world right now I feel like we’re not just protecting American soil, but we're protecting it for our allies as well,” said Murdolo.
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities, and capacity.
“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”
Murdolo and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My USS Harry S. Truman deployment was an awesome experience,” said Murdolo. “We received a Meritorious Unit Achievement Medal.”
As Murdolo and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means everything to me,” added Murdolo. “It’s where I met my wife and many other lifelong friends. I’ve worked with a lot of really great leaders who helped me grow as a sailor. I've also been all over the world, so far traveling to 15 countries. I didn't realize just how big this world was until joining the Navy.”
Navy pilots and aircrew at HSM 73 constantly train to ensure they are prepared for peacetime and warfighting missions. According to Navy officials, the MH-60R is the most capable multi-mission helicopter available in the world today. It is used for a variety of missions, including hunting and tracking enemy submarines, attacking enemy ships, search and rescue, drug interdiction, delivering supplies and supporting the Navy’s special operations forces.
"The BattleCats of HSM 73 proudly provide advanced mission capability and readiness to America's Navy,” said Cmdr. Rich “Speed” Christoff, HSM 73 commanding officer. “Our sailors come from every corner of the nation and the world, bringing their expertise and fighting spirit to a unit that I'm extremely proud to command."
Serving in the Navy means Murdolo is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus, rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“With all of the uncertainty in the world right now I feel like we’re not just protecting American soil, but we're protecting it for our allies as well,” said Murdolo.
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities, and capacity.
“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”
Murdolo and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My USS Harry S. Truman deployment was an awesome experience,” said Murdolo. “We received a Meritorious Unit Achievement Medal.”
As Murdolo and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means everything to me,” added Murdolo. “It’s where I met my wife and many other lifelong friends. I’ve worked with a lot of really great leaders who helped me grow as a sailor. I've also been all over the world, so far traveling to 15 countries. I didn't realize just how big this world was until joining the Navy.”