SAN DIEGO. – Seaman Ethen Maher-Guillen, a native of San Antonio, Texas, joined the Navy nearly two years ago. Today, Maher-Guillen serves as a fireman aboard USS Tripoli.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Hawthorne |
“Military service is a tradition in my family,” said Maher-Guillen.
Growing up in San Antonio, Maher-Guillen attended Southside High School and graduated in 2019. Today, Maher-Guillen uses the same skills and values learned in San Antonio to succeed in the military.
“I was raised to keep my head up and my nose clean,” said Maher-Guillen. “I do the same in the Navy. I do my job, I'm respectful and everything falls into place.”
That lesson continues to help Maher-Guillen 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 continued to operate it safely and effectively, rising to every occasion. I couldn't be more proud."
Serving in the Navy means Maher-Guillen 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.
“We patrol the oceans and we maintain a large presence,” said Maher-Guillen.
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.”
Maher-Guillen and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm very proud to have been a part of the USS Tripoli team from the beginning,” said Maher-Guillen. “ I'm what's called a 'plankowner.’ I've watched the team and the ship grow from a pre-commissioning unit to a fully-qualified active warship.”
As Maher-Guillen and other sailors continue to train, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy makes me proud because I'm keeping with my family tradition of military service,” added Maher-Guillen. “I'd considered the other branches but the Navy felt right, like a natural choice.”
“I was raised to keep my head up and my nose clean,” said Maher-Guillen. “I do the same in the Navy. I do my job, I'm respectful and everything falls into place.”
That lesson continues to help Maher-Guillen 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 continued to operate it safely and effectively, rising to every occasion. I couldn't be more proud."
Serving in the Navy means Maher-Guillen 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.
“We patrol the oceans and we maintain a large presence,” said Maher-Guillen.
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.”
Maher-Guillen and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm very proud to have been a part of the USS Tripoli team from the beginning,” said Maher-Guillen. “ I'm what's called a 'plankowner.’ I've watched the team and the ship grow from a pre-commissioning unit to a fully-qualified active warship.”
As Maher-Guillen and other sailors continue to train, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy makes me proud because I'm keeping with my family tradition of military service,” added Maher-Guillen. “I'd considered the other branches but the Navy felt right, like a natural choice.”