SAN DIEGO - A native of Springfield, Massachusetts, serves the U.S. Navy aboard USS Boxer, which is homeported in San Diego.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sang Kim, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Seaman Brendon Torres, a 2020 Spring Central High School graduate, joined the Navy two years ago.
“I was inspired to join the Navy because I have a twin brother in the Army, so I thought I had to push as hard as he has,” said Torres. “I also wanted to go out and see the world.”
Today, Torres serves as an aviation boatswain's mate.
An aviation boatswain's mate is responsible for launching and recovering aircraft.
Torres relies upon skills and values from lessons learned in Springfield to succeed in the military.
“I learned the importance of discipline from my hometown,” said Torres. "I used to box competitively, so I took what I learned and applied that to the Navy.”
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 Torres 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 national defense because we have the important job of defending our seas,” said Torres.
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 Torres have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I’m most proud of earning the job of aviation boatswain's mate and earning my qualifications," said Torres. "I'm also proud that my wife is about to give birth. We're going to have a girl.”
As Torres 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 makes me feel like I stand out because we're doing things that other people can't do," said Torres. "To me, it means a lot.”