SAN DIEGO - A native of Menifee, California, is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided-missile cruiser, USS Cowpens.
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Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sang Kim, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Petty Officer 1st Class Isaias Vivanco, a 2009 Perris High School graduate, joined the Navy 11 years ago.
“I joined the Navy for a sense of purpose,” said Vivanco. “I graduated from high school and really didn’t have a plan. The Navy was an opportunity to get a career and see the world.”
Today, Vivanco serves as an interior communications electrician.
An interior communications electrician is responsible for working on anything that transmits or receives signals on the ship, including fire indication systems, helicopter landing systems, close circuit television systems or announcement systems.
Vivanco relies upon skills and values from lessons learned in Menifee to succeed in the military.
“My parents taught me to put others first,” said Vivanco.”In the Navy, helping others is very rewarding.”
Homeported in San Diego, California, USS Cowpens is named after the Revolutionary War Battle of Cowpens, a major American victory near Cowpens, South Carolina. The historic battle weakened British attempts to wrest the southern colonies from American control.
Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers are tactical multi-mission surface combatants capable of conducting anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, as well as humanitarian assistance, according to Navy officials.
Fast, maneuverable, and technically advanced, cruisers provide the required warfighting expertise and operational flexibility to execute any task overseas.
Serving in the Navy means Vivanco is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy allows the world to have freedom of navigation and allows smaller countries to prosper under their own terms,” said Vivanco.
More than 90 percent of all trade travels by sea, and fiber optic cables on the ocean floor carry 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic.
Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to ready sailors and a strong Navy.
“Maintaining the world’s best Navy is an investment in the security and prosperity of the United States, as well as the stability of our world,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations.“The U.S. Navy – forward deployed and integrated with all elements of national power – deters conflict, strengthens our alliances and partnerships and guarantees free and open access to the world’s oceans. As the United States responds to the security environment through integrated deterrence, our Navy must continue to deploy forward and campaign with a ready, capable, combat-credible fleet.”
“The Surface Force will continue to meet the challenge of strategic competition and respond to the realities of the modern security environment,” said Commander of Naval Surface Forces Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener. “ Our efforts are critical to preserve freedom of the seas, deter aggression and win wars.”
Sailors like Vivanco, have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest moment in the Navy came as a result of when I was told I was going to be a father,” said Vivanco. “I then became more focused and more diligent at my work. I wanted to provide for my growing family. Through my heightened commitment, I was recognized by my command and meritoriously advanced to petty officer first class.”
As Vivanco and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving gives me the peace of mind that what I am doing, allows my family to be well taken care of today and in the future,” added Vivanco.