SAN DIEGO – Seaman Paulo Tagulao, a native of the Philippines serves in the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne |
“I was inspired by my uncle to join the military because he was a chief in the United States Navy,” said Tagulao. "He helped my family a lot. He was like a second father to me. Since he helped me and my family so much with our education and support I wanted to follow in his footsteps and be able to do the same."
Tagulao joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Tagulao serves with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SIX (HSC 6) in San Diego, working with one of the Navy’s most advanced helicopters, the MH-60S Knighthawk.
Growing up in the Philippines, Tagulao attended Elim Christian Academy and graduated in 2015. Today, Tagulao uses the same skills and values learned in the Philippines to succeed in the military.
“Growing up in the Philippines I always knew I wanted to join the Navy,” said Tagulao. "My uncle told me all about the United States Navy and it made me want to travel, gain knowledge about the world and serve a good cause."
Navy pilots and aircrew at HSC 6 constantly train to ensure they are prepared for peacetime and warfighting missions. The mission set of the MH-60S includes anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, vertical replenishment, logistics support, personnel transport, humanitarian disaster relief, medical evacuation, support to Naval Special Warfare and organic airborne mine countermeasures. MH-60S helicopters are also equipped with the ability to conduct replenishments at sea, search and rescue missions and enable other operations for the carrier strike group.
“For over 60 years, HSC 6 has provided all-weather rotary wing operations to America’s Navy," said Cmdr. Charles A. Chmielak, HSC 6’s commanding officer. "Whether it’s recovering the astronauts of Apollo 14 after they returned to Earth, or deploying around the world to preserve free and open sea lanes, our highly trained sailors have always answered the call, wherever and whenever the nation needs them.”
Serving in the Navy means Tagulao 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 around the world by helping other countries,” said Tagulao. "That's one of the reasons I joined the Navy, I want to inspire people from other countries and show them that the Navy can keep us all safe."
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.”
Tagulao and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest naval accomplishment is graduating from boot camp,” said Tagulao. "I feel so blessed. I know God is with me, helping me succeed. I'm proud of myself because I'm here. I'm in the Navy. I get to provide for my family."
As Tagulao 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 a lot to me,” added Tagulao. "It will allow me to grow physically, mentally and emotionally."