SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 1st Class Daniela Alvarado, a native of Chicago, Illinois, serves in the U.S. Navy assigned to Southwest Regional Maintenance Center (SWRMC) San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob Allison |
Alvarado graduated from Bolingbrook High School in 2012.
Alvarado joined the Navy 12 years ago. Today, Alvarado serves as a gas turbine systems technician (mechanical).
“I joined the Navy looking for educational opportunities,” said Alvarado. "I also wanted independence."
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Chicago.
“I learned growing up the importance of being observant about your surroundings,” said Alvarado. "This is important because as a fighting force, we have to know what's going on all the time."
SWRMC is a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) that provides superior ship maintenance, modernization, technical support and training for the Pacific Fleet.
According to Navy officials, NAVSEA’s mission is to design, build, deliver and maintain ships, submarines and systems for the U.S. Navy. NAVSEA manages more than 150 acquisition programs and has more than 75,000 civilian and military employees at 33 activities in 16 states and three overseas continents.
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.
Alvarado serves a Navy that operates forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
“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.”
Alvarado has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I'm proud to have earned my Master Training Specialist qualification,” said Alvarado. “I'm also proud of the degree I earned using military tuition assistance. Lastly, I'm proud of the knowledge I've gained in my career as a gas turbine engineer.”
Alvarado can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy is a reflection of who I am and what I'm capable of,” said Alvarado.
Alvarado is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to acknowledge my father, who's a computer network engineer,” added Alvarado. "He gave me a strong work ethic and a desire to serve as an engineer. I want to thank my brother, Eric, and my sister, Silvia, for always supporting me. Lastly, I want to thank my wife, Samantha, for always encouraging me and always pushing me to do better. She is on deployment aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and I want to wish her safe travels and let her know that I love and miss her very much."