MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Lesli Salcido, a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, serves aboard Naval Station (NAVSTA) Mayport in Mayport, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Bryan Niegel |
Salcido, a 2016 graduate of Overhills High School, joined the Navy seven years ago.
“I joined for independence, to see the world, financial stability and for all the benefits the Navy has to offer,” said Salcido.
Today, Salcido relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Fayetteville to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, everyone around me was content with their life but I wanted something different,” said Salcido. “I felt a change of environment was needed to excel and be successful in life.”
These lessons have helped Salcido while serving in the Navy.
NAVSTA Mayport is one of three major Navy installations in the Jacksonville area. Mayport is home to a busy seaport as well as an air facility, and has an 8,000 ft. runway capable of handling any aircraft in DoD inventory.
The mission of NAVSTA Mayport is to sustain and enhance warfighter readiness. The Navy at Mayport covers 3,409 acres and is the third largest naval facility in the continental United States. NAVSTA Mayport is home to more than 70 tenant commands and is home to the U.S. Navy's Fourth Fleet and the Navy’s first Triton squadron, according to Navy officials.
NAVSTA Mayport was recently selected as the 2023 recipient of the Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence. Put simply, Mayport was selected as the best out of all U.S. Navy installations Fleet-wide.
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 Salcido 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 contributes to our national defense by projecting air and sea power, and helping our allies against our adversaries and otherworldly threats,” said Salcido.
Salcido and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is advancing to the rank of Culinary Specialist 2nd Class because it's difficult to make rank in the culinary specialist community,” said Salcido.
As Salcido 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 gives me the opportunity to be a role model and someone my daughter can look up to as being a successful female in a male-dominated workforce,” said Salcido.
Salcido is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mom, Ruby Rubio, for her love and support,” added Salcido. "Since being in the Navy, I would like to give a shout-out to Senior Chief Culinary Specialist Carter, currently stationed in Japan, for influencing me and always motivating me to be my best.”