SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 1st Class Miguel Suarez, a native of Miami, Florida, serves in the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California.
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| Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne |
“I joined the Navy because I saw the white uniform and knew I wanted to be someone who had the honor of wearing it,” said Suarez. "I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself."
Growing up in Miami, Suarez attended Felix Varela Senior High School and graduated in 2003. Today, Suarez uses the same skills and values learned in Miami to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I was taught that reciprocity goes a long way,” said Suarez. "Whatever you receive from your peers, you should pass it along so that others can succeed as well."
That lesson has helped Suarez 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 Suarez 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.
“The Navy contributes to national security by keeping our enemies away from our shores, therefore maintaining a safer Nation back home,” said Suarez.
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.”
Suarez and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest naval accomplishment is becoming a Navy Command Career Counselor,” said Suarez. "It's something I knew I wanted to do for a very long time. I was denied or the opportunity passed me by, but now I have achieved my goal."
As Suarez 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 Suarez.
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 Suarez 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.
“The Navy contributes to national security by keeping our enemies away from our shores, therefore maintaining a safer Nation back home,” said Suarez.
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.”
Suarez and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest naval accomplishment is becoming a Navy Command Career Counselor,” said Suarez. "It's something I knew I wanted to do for a very long time. I was denied or the opportunity passed me by, but now I have achieved my goal."
As Suarez 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 Suarez.