BOSTON – Seaman Ruth Tuiolemotu, a sailor from Pearl City, Hawaii, is one of nearly 80 sailors celebrating America’s 246 years of independence while serving aboard USS Constitution.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green |
Tuiolemotu, a 2020 Moanalua High School graduate, joined the Navy a little over a year ago.
Today Tuiolemotu serves as a personnel specialist.
“I joined the Navy to follow in my dad's footsteps,” said Tuiolemotu. "He retired from the Navy as a chief petty officer. His stories about him and his friends made me want to join and build the same types of relationships."
Skills and values similar to those found in Pearl City are important to succeed in the military.
“In Hawaii, I learned to always spread aloha and to always take care of your people,” said Tuiolemotu. “Spreading aloha is important because it has had a big impact on me and I hope it can have the same impact on the people I share it with, even if they grew up differently than me.”
USS Constitution is the U.S. Navy’s oldest commissioned warship, and the crew is hand-picked to promote naval history and maritime heritage while raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence.
The ship earned the nickname Old Ironsides during the War of 1812 after British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull. USS Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured or destroyed 33 enemy vessels.
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”
As a member of the Navy, Tuiolemotu is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy contributes to national defense by protecting, maintaining and training combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars and deterring aggression,” said Tuiolemotu.
As Tuiolemotu 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 that I am protecting myself, my family and those who don't even know that they are being protected,” said Tuiolemotu. “My service means that our citizens can sleep peacefully at night and live the life they want to live. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment knowing that.”
Tuiolemotu is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my family and God for allowing me to push through a lot of things that I thought would stop me,” added Tuiolemotu. “Because of him, I was able to get over obstacles I never thought I would be able to. I want to thank my family for their continued support and the Admin Department, especially my mentor, HM2 Falcocchico, for allowing me to grow. When I first got here I had a lot of growing and to do. Lastly, I want to thank my boyfriend, OSSN Yearwood, for being by my side and for helping me on my hard days.”