LEMOORE, Calif. – Seaman Carmen Herrera, a native of Chicago, Illinois, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125. The command is a joint strike fighter squadron located aboard the U.S. Navy’s largest master jet base in Lemoore, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Vanessa White, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Herrera joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Herrera serves as a legalman.
“I joined the Navy after I lost my job during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Herrera. "After that, I decided to change my career path. I ended up finding a job that allows me to show my gratitude to the country that I love."
Growing up in Chicago, Herrera attended Chupa High School and graduated in 1999. Today, Herrera relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Chicago to succeed in the military.
"The work ethic I possess today stems from my upbringing on a farm, where I labored alongside my father," said Herrera. "The daily toil and responsibility of farm work instilled in me a sense of resilience and fortitude, both mentally and physically."
These lessons have helped Herrera while serving with the Navy.
Members of VFA 125 fly and maintain the F35-C Lightning II, a combat-ready fifth-generation fighter.
According to Navy officials, the F-35C is designed with the entire battlespace in mind, bringing transformational capability to the United States and its allies. Missions traditionally performed by specialized aircraft (air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, electronic attack, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) can now be executed by a squadron of F-35s.
For the first time in U.S. naval aviation history, radar-evading stealth capability comes to the aircraft carrier deck. The F-35C carrier variant sets new standards in weapon system integration, lethality, maintainability, combat radius and payload that bring true multi-mission power projection capability from the sea, according to Navy officials.
This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as "The First Six," earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.
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."
"The work ethic I possess today stems from my upbringing on a farm, where I labored alongside my father," said Herrera. "The daily toil and responsibility of farm work instilled in me a sense of resilience and fortitude, both mentally and physically."
These lessons have helped Herrera while serving with the Navy.
Members of VFA 125 fly and maintain the F35-C Lightning II, a combat-ready fifth-generation fighter.
According to Navy officials, the F-35C is designed with the entire battlespace in mind, bringing transformational capability to the United States and its allies. Missions traditionally performed by specialized aircraft (air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, electronic attack, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) can now be executed by a squadron of F-35s.
For the first time in U.S. naval aviation history, radar-evading stealth capability comes to the aircraft carrier deck. The F-35C carrier variant sets new standards in weapon system integration, lethality, maintainability, combat radius and payload that bring true multi-mission power projection capability from the sea, according to Navy officials.
This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as "The First Six," earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.
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, Herrera 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 is important because we protect the seas,” said Herrera. "We are not just defending ourselves but our allies as well."
Herrera and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm proud that I’m getting to change my job to legalman,” said Herrera. "I'm finally getting the career I've always wanted in the Navy."
As Herrera and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Service means a lot to me,” said Herrera. “I'm very proud to serve this beautiful nation. I get to be courageous. This is my country. We enable freedom everywhere, we are not just protecting the U.S. Wearing this uniform every day fills me with immense pride, and I strive to fulfill my duties with utmost dedication and excellence."
“I would say to the people in Chicago and Panama that this is the greatest decision I've made,” said Herrera. “It feels great to be in the service, and I’m happy to do this job.”
Herrera is grateful to others for making a career in the Navy possible.
“I would like to thank my friends, Norman Francis and Tovy Knight,” added Herrera. “They helped me through the process of joining the military.”
“The Navy is important because we protect the seas,” said Herrera. "We are not just defending ourselves but our allies as well."
Herrera and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm proud that I’m getting to change my job to legalman,” said Herrera. "I'm finally getting the career I've always wanted in the Navy."
As Herrera and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Service means a lot to me,” said Herrera. “I'm very proud to serve this beautiful nation. I get to be courageous. This is my country. We enable freedom everywhere, we are not just protecting the U.S. Wearing this uniform every day fills me with immense pride, and I strive to fulfill my duties with utmost dedication and excellence."
“I would say to the people in Chicago and Panama that this is the greatest decision I've made,” said Herrera. “It feels great to be in the service, and I’m happy to do this job.”
Herrera is grateful to others for making a career in the Navy possible.
“I would like to thank my friends, Norman Francis and Tovy Knight,” added Herrera. “They helped me through the process of joining the military.”