SAN DIEGO - A pair of siblings from Pampanga, Philippines, serve the U.S. Navy aboard USS Boxer, which is homeported in San Diego.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sang Kim, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Seaman Margarette Quinto and Seaman Vanessa Quinto, both graduates of Holy Angel University in the Philippines, joined the Navy a year ago. Margarette graduated in 2020 and Vanessa graduated in 2018.
“I was inspired to join by my sibling who joined before me,” said Margarette.
For Vanessa, joining the Navy fulfilled a life-long dream.
“I was inspired to join the Navy because it was my dream," said Vanessa. "I always wanted to be a part of the military.”
Today, both siblings serve as culinary specialists, which are responsible for cooking for the ship’s crew.
The siblings rely upon skills and values from lessons learned in Pampanga to succeed in the military.
“My hometown taught me that there is always light in the darkness," said Margarett. "There's always hope.”
Vanessa said the biggest lesson from Pampanga was the importance of honoring your roots.
“I learned to always look back and remember where you came from,” said Vanessa.
Boxer, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, commissioned Feb. 11, 1995, and is the sixth U.S. ship to bear the name. The ship recently completed a scheduled maintenance availability and is preparing for upcoming operations.
Boxer’s crew is made up of approximately 1,200 officers and enlisted personnel and can accommodate up to 1,800 Marines. Amphibious assault ships transfer Marines, equipment and supplies and can support helicopters or other aircraft, according to Navy officials. They also are capable of accessing 75 percent of the world’s beaches.
Serving in the Navy means the Quinto siblings are 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 is always prepared for whatever we face at sea,” said Margarett.
“I see all the preparation that happens when we go underway," added Vanessa. "The Navy makes sure that everything works and that we're ready for battle.”
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 the Quinto siblings have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm most proud of getting in the advancement program in 'A' school," said Vanessa. "That means I graduated with top honors and received a recommendation for promotion. I'm also proud of finishing boot camp.”
With just one year in the Navy, Margarette has developed a reputation among peers for perseverance and professionalism.
“I'm most proud of people recognizing my hard work ethic and being considered a reliable person,” said Margarette.
As both siblings 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 taking care of the crew and my fellow shipmates,” said Margarette.
“It's not just about serving the national defense,” added Vanessa. “It's also about serving the people you work with. As a culinary specialist we make sure our people are full and not hungry before doing the job they're supposed to do.”
The siblings rely upon skills and values from lessons learned in Pampanga to succeed in the military.
“My hometown taught me that there is always light in the darkness," said Margarett. "There's always hope.”
Vanessa said the biggest lesson from Pampanga was the importance of honoring your roots.
“I learned to always look back and remember where you came from,” said Vanessa.
Boxer, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, commissioned Feb. 11, 1995, and is the sixth U.S. ship to bear the name. The ship recently completed a scheduled maintenance availability and is preparing for upcoming operations.
Boxer’s crew is made up of approximately 1,200 officers and enlisted personnel and can accommodate up to 1,800 Marines. Amphibious assault ships transfer Marines, equipment and supplies and can support helicopters or other aircraft, according to Navy officials. They also are capable of accessing 75 percent of the world’s beaches.
Serving in the Navy means the Quinto siblings are 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 is always prepared for whatever we face at sea,” said Margarett.
“I see all the preparation that happens when we go underway," added Vanessa. "The Navy makes sure that everything works and that we're ready for battle.”
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 the Quinto siblings have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm most proud of getting in the advancement program in 'A' school," said Vanessa. "That means I graduated with top honors and received a recommendation for promotion. I'm also proud of finishing boot camp.”
With just one year in the Navy, Margarette has developed a reputation among peers for perseverance and professionalism.
“I'm most proud of people recognizing my hard work ethic and being considered a reliable person,” said Margarette.
As both siblings 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 taking care of the crew and my fellow shipmates,” said Margarette.
“It's not just about serving the national defense,” added Vanessa. “It's also about serving the people you work with. As a culinary specialist we make sure our people are full and not hungry before doing the job they're supposed to do.”