By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach
MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Nautica Luzania, a 2015 graduate of Natomas High School in Sacramento, California, serves aboard Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Training Facility, Atlantic in Mayport, Florida.
MAYPORT, Fla. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Nautica Luzania, a 2015 graduate of Natomas High School in Sacramento, California, serves aboard Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Training Facility, Atlantic in Mayport, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Luzania joined the Navy eight years ago.
“I joined the Navy to travel the world and to give me a sense of belonging,” said Luzania.
The Mayport-based training facility supports the increased demand for training at the waterfront. Each section of the trainer replicates the basic layout and design of the LCS command and control, bridge and propulsion control systems. Mockups reproduce scenes from a ship’s bridge windows to provide realistic training scenarios that mimic what crews will experience at sea.
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 Luzania 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.
Luzania and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest accomplishments in the Navy is making rank to petty officer second class, being able to support my family and meeting new people,” said Luzania. “Being a second class, I am able to guide and lead my junior sailors.”
As Luzania and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“The Navy has been a very fulfilling and rewarding experience,” said Luzania.
Luzania is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my husband, Petty Officer 1st Class Julian Luazian, who is currently serving aboard USS Billings, for supporting me and encouraging me to stick it out and to lead by example,” added Luzania. “I would also like to thank Chief Jack Lambert who is serving at LCS Training Facility and Senior Chief Jeremia Johnson who is serving aboard USS Indianapolis. Chief Lambert has been there with me through my trials and tribulations and has helped me and my family numerous times when in need. Senior Chief Johnson was my first chief in the Navy, and he showed me the ‘rules of the road’ to become a standout sailor.”