By Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel, Navy Office of Community Outreach
MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Alfonso Cruz, a native of Moline, Illinois, reenlisted after completing aerographer's mate C-school course at Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Keesler on Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi.
The course is nine months long and once completed the sailors qualify as Navy meteorologist and oceanographers.
Cruz joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Cruz serves as an aerographer's mate.
“I joined the Navy for the experiences that it offers,” said Cruz.
Growing up in Moline, Cruz attended Moline High School and graduated in 2018. Today, Cruz relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Moline to succeed in the military.
"Growing up, I learned to never settle for a mediocre life," said Cruz.
These lessons have helped Cruz while serving with the Navy.
The Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command directs and oversees more than 2,500 globally distributed military and civilian personnel who collect, process and exploit environmental information to assist Fleet and Joint Commanders in all warfare areas to make better decisions faster than the adversary.
Whether operating in the air, at sea or underwater, Navy equipment, people and decision-making all rely on the technical and tactical advice of Navy Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) members.
Naval Oceanography encompasses a wide range of missions crucial to supporting today's Naval fleet. They include oceanography, hydrography, meteorology, climate science, geospatial information science, astrometry, Earth orientation and precise time.
As a member of the Navy, Cruz is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy supports national defense by protecting the Seas from piracy,” said Cruz.
Cruz and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am most proud of completing an eight-month deployment at sea,” said Cruz.
As Cruz 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 is a commitment at a higher level," added Cruz.