SAN DIEGO. – Fireman Apprentice Esmie Lacayo Clark, a native of Houston, Texas, joined the Navy less than a year ago. Today, Lacayo Clark serves as a machinist's mate aboard USS Tripoli.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne |
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to go to school, but I also wanted to travel,” said Lacayo Clark. "Traveling won, but I also knew the Navy would help me make a better life for myself. I plan to go back to school eventually and become an officer, so I'm going to meet both my goals."
Growing up in Houston, Lacayo Clark attended Westbury High School and graduated in 2019. Today, Lacayo Clark uses the same skills and values learned in Houston to succeed in the military.
“My mom always taught me to be a bigger person and push through hard times,” said Lacayo Clark. "That was so helpful during bootcamp. I would read her letters and it reminded me not to give up."
These lessons have helped Lacayo Clark while serving in the Navy.
USS Tripoli incorporates key components to provide the fleet with a more aviation-centric platform. The design features an enlarged hangar deck, aviation maintenance facilities realignment and expansion, a significant increase in available stowage for parts and support equipment, and increased aviation fuel capacity.
“The sailors aboard this ship have been given an enormous task--get this ship ready,” said Capt. John Kiefaber, USS Tripoli’s executive officer. “They brought this ship to life in the midst of a pandemic and continue to operate it safely and effectively, rising to every occasion. I couldn’t be more proud.”
Serving in the Navy means Lacayo Clark 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.
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.”
Lacayo Clark and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest naval accomplishment so far is graduating from Accession training, where I received technical training on how to perform my specific duties,” said Lacayo Clark.
As Lacayo Clark 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.
“To me, serving in the Navy means being a hero to others,” added Lacayo Clark. "I can show others that anything is possible."
USS Tripoli incorporates key components to provide the fleet with a more aviation-centric platform. The design features an enlarged hangar deck, aviation maintenance facilities realignment and expansion, a significant increase in available stowage for parts and support equipment, and increased aviation fuel capacity.
“The sailors aboard this ship have been given an enormous task--get this ship ready,” said Capt. John Kiefaber, USS Tripoli’s executive officer. “They brought this ship to life in the midst of a pandemic and continue to operate it safely and effectively, rising to every occasion. I couldn’t be more proud.”
Serving in the Navy means Lacayo Clark 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.
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.”
Lacayo Clark and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest naval accomplishment so far is graduating from Accession training, where I received technical training on how to perform my specific duties,” said Lacayo Clark.
As Lacayo Clark 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.
“To me, serving in the Navy means being a hero to others,” added Lacayo Clark. "I can show others that anything is possible."