YOKOSUKA, Japan - Petty Officer 2nd Class Giovanni Julius Patenio, a sailor from Waihiawa, Hawaii, serves in Japan aboard a forward-deployed U.S. Navy warship.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel |
Patenio graduated from Yulee High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Waihiawa.
“Growing up, I learned family values,” said Patenio. “My parents encouraged me to get A's and B's in school and I learned that I needed to always push myself in my learning environment if I wanted to progress.”
Patenio joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Patenio serves as an information systems technician.
“I joined the Navy as a stepping stone in my career,” said Patenio. “I saw the opportunity to help my family and have a career. Also, my great-grandparent, grandparent and dad all served in the military and their experience inspired me.”
USS Rafael Peralta, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments.
A Navy destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
More than 300 sailors serve aboard USS Rafael Peralta Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Patenio serves in Japan as part of the forward-deployed naval forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Patenio has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of being nominated Junior Sailor of the Year and earning my associate's degree,” said Patenio.
Patenio can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy allows me to repay the opportunities that I have been given,” said Patenio. “I serve my country because it gave me a home and it helped my previous family members.”
Patenio is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my dad and my mom for being very supportive about me joining,” added Patenio. “My dad helped me train my body and my mind. My mom was very supportive and encouraging of me. I would also like to thank my Leading Petty Officer Bryan Rapisura. He was my mentor and taught me a lot and helped me understand how a team is built and how to work with other people.”