JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Seaman Klien Laguardia, a native of Long Beach, California, serves with Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 8 based out of Jacksonville, Florida. The squadron’s primary mission is to undertake maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian Niegel, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Laguardia, a 2013 graduate of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo High School, joined the Navy one year ago.
“I joined the Navy to travel and have the opportunity to go to school,” said Laguardia. "I had a job before I joined and I wanted to try something new"
Today, Laguardia relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Long Beach to succeed in the military.
“I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and being from the islands, I learned to respect the environment around them,” said Laguardia. "I also learned to greet everyone with kindness."
These lessons have helped Laguardia while serving in the Navy.
VP 8 flies the U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft. Designed to secure the U.S. Navy’s future in long-range maritime patrol capability, the P-8A has transformed how the Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance force will man, train, operate and deploy, according to Navy officials. While the aircraft is also equipped with high-quality weapon systems, it also has an open architecture to allow for expansion. P-8A deploy around the globe to monitor the world’s oceans wherever they are needed.
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."
Serving in the Navy means Laguardia 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 can be anywhere at any time by land, sea and air,” said Laguardia.
Laguardia and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm most proud of inspiring my fellow shipmates during my time in school as an example of remaining active,” said Laguardia. "I never really considered myself as an athletic person, but my shipmates would say otherwise."
As Laguardia and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“I believe that serving in the Navy is an experience that cannot be recreated in the civilian world,” said Laguardia. "We all raised our right hand and swore an oath to serve our country and work together to keep it safe."
Laguardia is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my aunt, Teresa Calimlim, who supported me through a difficult year and motivated me to join the Navy as a way to find myself and build a legacy,” said Laguardia. "I would also like to thank my friends and family back home who supported my decision to join."
“A goal of mine is to do an Ironman triathlon in Hawaii,” added Laguardia.
“I joined the Navy to travel and have the opportunity to go to school,” said Laguardia. "I had a job before I joined and I wanted to try something new"
Today, Laguardia relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Long Beach to succeed in the military.
“I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and being from the islands, I learned to respect the environment around them,” said Laguardia. "I also learned to greet everyone with kindness."
These lessons have helped Laguardia while serving in the Navy.
VP 8 flies the U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft. Designed to secure the U.S. Navy’s future in long-range maritime patrol capability, the P-8A has transformed how the Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance force will man, train, operate and deploy, according to Navy officials. While the aircraft is also equipped with high-quality weapon systems, it also has an open architecture to allow for expansion. P-8A deploy around the globe to monitor the world’s oceans wherever they are needed.
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."
Serving in the Navy means Laguardia 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 can be anywhere at any time by land, sea and air,” said Laguardia.
Laguardia and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm most proud of inspiring my fellow shipmates during my time in school as an example of remaining active,” said Laguardia. "I never really considered myself as an athletic person, but my shipmates would say otherwise."
As Laguardia and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“I believe that serving in the Navy is an experience that cannot be recreated in the civilian world,” said Laguardia. "We all raised our right hand and swore an oath to serve our country and work together to keep it safe."
Laguardia is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my aunt, Teresa Calimlim, who supported me through a difficult year and motivated me to join the Navy as a way to find myself and build a legacy,” said Laguardia. "I would also like to thank my friends and family back home who supported my decision to join."
“A goal of mine is to do an Ironman triathlon in Hawaii,” added Laguardia.