PENSACOLA, Fla. - Airman Apprentice Carlos Alonzo, a native of Ventura, California, is serving the U.S. Navy at Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC).
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Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anna-Liesa Hussey |
As a student at NASC, Alonzo is serving among sailors, Marines and guardsmen developing the skills needed to be combat-ready aviation professionals. NASC is located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, provides an educational foundation in technical training, character development, and professional leadership.
Students at NASC are taught the requirements and skills needed to be successful in their new careers.
Alonzo joined the Navy six months ago.
“It was my plan to join the military as early as I could remember,” said Alonzo. “As I got older and did more research, the Navy was my go to.”
According to Alonzo, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Ventura.
“Ventura taught me to always stay calm, cool and collected,” said Alonzo. “I also learned to not allow any distractions to get you off your game."
NASC provides educational foundation in technical training, character development and professional leadership to prepare Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and partner nations Officer and Enlisted to be the combat quality aviation professionals their nation needs.
NASC is comprised of four schoolhouses: Aviation Training School (ATS), Aviation Enlisted Aircrew Training (AEATS), Aviation Rescue Swimmer School (ARSS) and Aviation Water Survival School (AWS), which provide instruction in 14 different curricula. In fiscal year 2021, ATS staff conducted 2,250 hours of classroom instruction and 17,095 hours of flight instruction; graduated 1,140 pilots and 217 Naval Flight Officers. AEATS graduated 1,237 students, ARSS graduated 245 students and AWS, including Detachment Swim Sites Norfolk and Pearl Harbor provided training for 6,479 students.
Serving in the Navy means Alonzo is part of a team 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 protect national security by patrolling the water and protecting it,” said Alonzo.
Alonzo and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“As a new sailor, I look forward to accomplishing many goals and aspirations all throughout my Navy career,” said Alonzo.
As Alonzo and other sailors continue to train and perform the mission they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means everything to me and is not at all what I expected,” added Alonzo “Each day is different but you have to get through them to accomplish the mission.”
The Naval Education and Training Command is the U.S. Navy’s Force Development pillar and largest shore command. Through its “Street to Fleet” focus, Naval Education and Training Command recruits civilians and transforms them into skilled warfighters ready to meet the current and future needs of the U.S. Navy.