LEMOORE, Calif. – Master Chief Matthew Muravez, a resident of Wildomar, California, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 125. The command is a joint strike fighter squadron located aboard the U.S. Navy’s largest master jet base.
Muravez joined the Navy 23 years ago. Today, Muravez serves as a command master chief.
“I was raised by my grandfather, a World War II veteran, who encouraged me to gain independence by joining the military," said Muravez.
Prior to moving to Wildomar, Muravez attended Hollywood High School in Los Angeles, graduating in 2000. Today, Muravez relies upon skills and values similar to those he grew up with to succeed in the military.
“I attended a theater magnet high school and I served as a stage manager for school plays," said Muravez. “The leadership skills I gained choreographing the set helped me with my future job on an aircraft carrier."
These lessons have helped Muravez 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, Muravez 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.
“Our role in protecting America's interest abroad is unlike any other," said Muravez. “We are deployed overseas at all times, promoting peace and standing ready for war.”
Muravez and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am proud to have survived falling overboard the USS Enterprise in 2001 while deployed in the Northern Arabian Sea," said Muravez. "I was proud of my endurance in that moment, and that I used my Navy training to stay alive."
As Muravez 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 the opportunity to create a better life for my own family and to make a difference in the lives of my sailors and their families," said Muravez.
Muravez is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my wife, Theresa, who is my even keel in rocky waters,” added Muravez. “I am also thankful for my children, Lily, Ava, and Michael, for giving me purpose. I know that what I do today will affect their future tomorrow.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Vanessa White |
Muravez joined the Navy 23 years ago. Today, Muravez serves as a command master chief.
“I was raised by my grandfather, a World War II veteran, who encouraged me to gain independence by joining the military," said Muravez.
Prior to moving to Wildomar, Muravez attended Hollywood High School in Los Angeles, graduating in 2000. Today, Muravez relies upon skills and values similar to those he grew up with to succeed in the military.
“I attended a theater magnet high school and I served as a stage manager for school plays," said Muravez. “The leadership skills I gained choreographing the set helped me with my future job on an aircraft carrier."
These lessons have helped Muravez 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, Muravez 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.
“Our role in protecting America's interest abroad is unlike any other," said Muravez. “We are deployed overseas at all times, promoting peace and standing ready for war.”
Muravez and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am proud to have survived falling overboard the USS Enterprise in 2001 while deployed in the Northern Arabian Sea," said Muravez. "I was proud of my endurance in that moment, and that I used my Navy training to stay alive."
As Muravez 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 the opportunity to create a better life for my own family and to make a difference in the lives of my sailors and their families," said Muravez.
Muravez is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my wife, Theresa, who is my even keel in rocky waters,” added Muravez. “I am also thankful for my children, Lily, Ava, and Michael, for giving me purpose. I know that what I do today will affect their future tomorrow.”