SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 3rd Class Conner Martinez, a native of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, serves the U.S. Navy with Mine Division TWELVE operating out of San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne |
Martinez joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Martinez serves as an electronics technician.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to better my life and to become a better person,” said Martinez.
Growing up in Pagosa Springs, Martinez attended Pagosa Springs High School and graduated in 2018. Today, Martinez uses the same skills and values learned in Pagosa Springs to succeed in the military.
“I grew up working on a ranch,” said Martinez. "That gave me the strong work ethic that I use today as a sailor in the Navy."
California has thirty-two military bases within its borders, which is more than any other state. According to Navy officials, Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps’ bases are clustered most heavily around San Diego.
Serving in the Navy means Martinez 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.
“The Navy contributes greatly to national security,” said Martinez. "We are the first responders to any conflict, so we're very important."
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.”
Martinez and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest naval accomplishment is graduating basic training,” said Martinez. "I'm also very proud to contribute to my command, be out at sea and live the Navy life."
As Martinez 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 I get to protect my country,” added Martinez. "I'm proud of that."