By Ensign Colby James, USS Iwo Jima Public Affairs Officer
NORFOLK – Petty Officer 2nd Class Ruby Bainoriayala, a native of Payson, Arizona, was selected to advance to the next pay grade through the Meritorious Advancement Program (MAP) while serving aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima on April 3.
The MAP Program gives commanding officers the opportunity to recognize their best sailors by advancing them when they demonstrate readiness for the next level of responsibility.
“You can make it through a lot more than you think,” said Bainoriayala. “I am able to learn new things every day that help not only the ship but also contribute to keeping our country safe.”
Bainoriayala currently serves as an aircrew survival equipmentman and has been in the Navy for two and a half years.
Bainoriayala graduated from Payson High School in 2021.
Amphibious assault ships, such as Iwo Jima, project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the Amphibious Readiness Group / Expeditionary Strike Group.
The Amphibious Readiness Group provides the Marine Corps with a means of ship-to-shore movement by helicopter and landing craft.
Iwo Jima supports major humanitarian assistance and combat operations in order to provide relief and protection for other countries.
The ship Iwo Jima is named after the battle of Iwo Jima fought in 1945, in which three divisions of U.S. Marines took control of a tiny island from more than 20,000 enemy defenders.
The ship’s motto is a quote from Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz: “Among the Americans who served on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”