MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Sifuentes, a native of Lubbock, Texas, serves aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Marinette, in Mayport, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
PCU is a designation used by the U.S. Navy to describe crews aboard vessels under construction prior to official commissioning.
Sifuentes, a 2015 graduate of Roosevelt High School, joined the Navy three years ago.
“I joined the Navy for the educational opportunities,” said Sifuentes.
Today, Sifuentes relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Lubbock to succeed in the military.
“Growing up, I learned that humility and respect will get you the furthest in life,” said Sifuentes. "You always need to put your best foot forward and take the initiative to do what needs to be done in order to complete the mission.”
These lessons have helped Sifuentes while serving in the Navy.
Marinette will be 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 Sifuentes 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 instrumental to protecting national defense by maintaining a strong presence at sea, determining potential threats and protecting the nation's interests abroad,” said Sifuentes.
Sifuentes and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I'm proud of making the rank of petty officer third class despite being in a position in which some thought it would be difficult to promote,” said Sifuentes.
As Sifuentes 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 a sense of pride,” said Sifuentes. “A lot of our nations' people simply don't have the opportunity to be in the Navy, let alone the military in general. The fact that I'm a U.S. Navy sailor is something I'll be for life.”
Sifuentes is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mom, Edie Beltran, for her love and support of me joining the Navy,” added Sifuentes. "I hope to continue to make her proud.”