YOKOSUKA, Japan - Petty Officer 2nd Class Vincent Hernandez, a native of Ventura, California, serves in Japan aboard a forward-deployed U.S. Navy warship.
Hernandez graduated from Coral Springs High in 2013.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Ventura.
“I volunteered at a military nursing home and was in Junior ROTC throughout high school,” said Hernandez. “Having those experiences and being able to have conversations with people currently in the military, as well as retired, gave me a sense of what my time serving would look like.”
Hernandez joined the Navy 10 years ago. Today, Hernandez serves as an operations specialist.
“I joined the Navy to follow in my family's footsteps,” said Hernandez. “Growing up listening to stories of them serving and seeing the world, I knew I wanted to serve my country as well.”
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 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.
Hernandez 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.”
Hernandez has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am very proud of graduating boot camp and making it to the fleet,” said Hernandez. “I have had the opportunities over these last 10 years to meet so many incredible people and go to some pretty amazing places.”
Hernandez can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Being in the Navy means serving your country and defending our homeland from advisories around the globe,” said Hernandez.
Hernandez is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my parents for their unwavering support of every decision I make,” added Hernandez.” Having a family to go home to and knowing there are people rooting for you makes this job that much more meaningful.”