By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerry Jimenez, Navy Office of Community Outreach
SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Ortiz Montanez, a native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, serves the U.S. Navy as a member of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 50, located in San Diego, California.
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Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sang Kim, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Ortiz Montanez joined the Navy four years ago.
Today, Ortiz Montanez serves as a yeoman at Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron.
“I was going to college and I wanted to be independent,” said Ortiz Montanez. “I wanted to start something on my own. The Navy provided educational and financial opportunities.”
Growing up in Caguas, Ortiz Montanez attended Escuela Vocacional Cidra in Puerto Rico and graduated in 2015. Today, Ortiz Montanez relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Caguas to succeed in the military.
“I learned about working hard and giving your everything in everything you do,” said Ortiz Montanez.
These lessons have helped Ortiz Montanez while serving in the Navy.
The CMV-22B is the Navy’s version of the U.S. Marines’ V-22 Osprey. It is designed to replace the C-2A Greyhound, which has provided logistical support to aircraft carriers for four decades.
CMV-22Bs are vertical takeoff and landing tilt-rotor aircraft, which have an increased operational range, faster cargo loading/unloading, increased survivability and enhanced communications compared to the C-2A Greyhound.
According to Navy officials, the mission of the CMV-22B is to provide timely, persistent air logistics for sustained carrier strike group lethality, anywhere in the world.
Serving in the Navy means Ortiz Montanez 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 contributes to the national defense strategy because we protect our nation by having a strong presence in the waterfront,” said Ortiz Montanez.
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 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 Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener, commander of naval surface forces. “Our efforts are critical to preserve freedom of the seas, deter aggression and win wars.”
Ortiz Montanez and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm most proud of training a sailor under me and teaching him everything I knew,” said Ortiz Montanez. “He went on to win an award.”
As Ortiz Montanez and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means being willing to stand up for something bigger than yourself,” added Ortiz Montanez.