SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 2nd Class Vanessa Romero, a native of Redondo Beach, California, 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 |
Romero joined the Navy seven years ago. Today, Romero serves as an operations specialist.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted help paying for my education,” said Romero. "It’s worked out well because I'm currently enrolled at San Diego Community College."
Growing up in Redondo Beach, Romero attended Redondo Union High School and graduated in 2014. Today, Romero uses the same skills and values learned in Redondo Beach to succeed in the military.
“My dad always let me know that it doesn't matter where you come from, it matters who you become,” said Romero. "That's served me well in the Navy because it has helped me push myself every single day to be a better person than the one I was the day before."
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 Romero 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.”
Romero and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest naval accomplishment is being named Sailor of the Quarter in 2021,” said Romero.
As Romero 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 am able to provide for my son as a single parent,” added Romero. "I get to set an example and be a hero to my son. That means a lot. It doesn't matter where you come from. In the Navy, if you work hard you can become the top dog. That’s what I want to demonstrate to my son."