MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Sasha Garcia, a native of Bronx, New York, is serving aboard USS Jason Dunham, a U.S. Navy warship, operating out of Mayport, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel |
Garcia, a 2018 graduate of Bronx Health Sciences High School, joined the Navy over four years ago.
“I joined for the financial assistance to continue my education,” said Garcia. “My uncle, Anthony Schaper, was a Navy SEAL who served for four years. He is a father figure who I look up to in life and I wanted to make him proud.”
Today, Garcia relies upon skills and values similar to those found in the Bronx to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I was taught loyalty by my parents and to always be there for the ones you care about it,” said Garcia. “I carried that mindset with me into the Navy and that has helped me become a good sailor. I also made petty officer second class in three years, and I think learning this important value in life has helped me advance so quickly in the Navy.”
Jason Dunham is a guided-missile destroyer that provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities. The destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
More than 300 sailors serve aboard Jason Dunham. Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.
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."
Serving in the Navy means Garcia is part of a team 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 the only military branch that protects the world by land, air and sea.,” said Garcia. Sailors are the most versatile servicemembers in any branch. Not only do we have to learn our day-to-day jobs, but we also have to learn numerous collateral duties to always be mission-ready.”
Garcia and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is when I made rank to petty officer second class,” said Garcia. “This advancement was different from when I was meritoriously advanced to petty officer third class because it was based upon my knowledge of my job and my performance evaluation.”
As Garcia and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“I am proud to serve in the Navy because I am being a role model to the younger generation in my family,” said Garcia. “I am also showing that as a female, I can succeed and lead in a male-dominated workforce.”
Garcia is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my uncle because he motivated me the most and since he understood the Navy, he understood my accomplishments and the hardships that come with being in the Navy lifestyle,” said Garcia.
“I want to make a positive impact and make a difference in the lives of those that I cross paths with during my time in the Navy,” added Garcia.