MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 1st Class Edward Bartolome, a native of Landover, Maryland, serves aboard one of the country’s most versatile combat ships, USS St. Louis, operating out of Mayport, Florida.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green |
Bartolome, a 2001 graduate of DeMatha Catholic High School, joined the Navy 14 years ago. Additionally, Bartolome, graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences.
“My father, Eduardo Bartolome, retired from the Navy as a Chief Electrician's Mate and I wanted to follow in his footsteps and carry on the family tradition,” said Bartolome.
Today, Bartolome relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Landover to succeed in the military.
“I learned that everything you get you have to work hard for and nothing is given to you,” said Bartolome. “You should treat everyone equally with respect.”
These lessons have helped Bartolome while serving in the Navy.
St. Louis is a fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatant that operates in near-shore and open-ocean environments, according to Navy officials. Littoral combat ships integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.
Littoral combat ships are hybrid surface combatants that lead manned-unmanned teams using unmanned aerial systems like the Fire Scout and Expeditionary Ordnance Disposal forces unmanned underwater vehicles. They conduct forward and maritime security missions like the Secretary of Defense Oceania Maritime Security Initiative. The ships also strengthen partnerships through port visits in small island nations like Tahiti and Fiji due to their shallow-depth hull.
According to Navy officials, the path to becoming an LCS sailor is unique and challenging. The culmination of their 18-month training pipeline, sailors qualify on a virtual reality simulator that is nearly identical to the ship. This intense and realistic training pipeline allows sailors to execute their roles and responsibilities immediately upon stepping on board.
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 Bartolome 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.
“Our world is covered mostly by water and as the best Navy, we have to do our best to defend all corners of the world,” said Bartolome.
Bartolome and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is all the lifelong friends that I have met along the way, and how I continue to build strong friendships and connections throughout my naval career,” said Bartolome.
As Bartolome 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 always giving my best, being where I’m supposed to be and always giving an honest effort in everything that I do,” said Bartolome.
Bartolome is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my wife, Joe Ann, for sacrificing so much while I was out to sea and taking care of our son, Edward Jr.,” said Bartolome. “My family serves as an inspiration to everything that I do.”
“My goal is to retire from the Navy and spend more quality time with my family,” added Bartolome.