SEATTLE - Lt. Daniel Galvan, a native of Houston, Texas, serves aboard USS Barry, a U.S. Navy warship homeported at Naval Station Everett, Washington. The ship is currently in a Seattle shipyard undergoing routine maintenance.
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| Photo by Ensign Siennah Spriggs |
Galvan graduated from Cypress Ridge High School in 2011. Additionally, Galvan earned a bachelor’s degree in construction management from Texas Tech University in 2017.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Houston.
“The importance of diversity was the biggest thing I learned that has stayed with me,” said Galvan. “Houston is very vast with a large population. It has very southern roots and urban areas with a lot of diversity. Growing up and going to high school, I’d meet people from various walks of life. That taught me how to engage with people. Everybody’s different and everybody brings something different to the table. Knowing that helps me connect with sailors who enjoy different types of music and hobbies, especially junior sailors who don’t think anyone’s like them.”
Galvan also picked up lessons from family.
“I learned to have a work ethic from my parents and to always strive to make each day matter,” said Galvan. “My father posted an article from the Houston Chronicle that discussed how young Hispanic people were perceived as having a hard work ethic but didn’t feel they could achieve anything outside of general labor jobs or what their parents had. I saw that as a challenge to work hard and have bigger dreams without the perceived limitations of what I could achieve in life, especially as a minority.”
Galvan joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Galvan serves as a surface warfare officer.
“My grandparents served in the Army, one during World War II and one during Vietnam,” said Galvan. “I always wanted to serve my country and the military was the best outlet for me to serve. I wanted to stand for what I thought was right. I was excited when I got the letter saying I was accepted to Officer Candidate School.”
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 Barry. 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.
“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.”
Galvan has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of getting my Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) pin and seeing sailors who finally understand the fullest aspect of the Navy and what they can accomplish,” said Galvan. “It took a lot of hard work, studying countless hours and practicing to earn my SWO pin. Getting that pin means you’ve made it to the community. I knew the hard work was ending but it was also beginning. It’s very rewarding to see junior sailors who’ve been brought up in a rough environment and not knowing what to do with their lives, develop and become people who are dedicated and have the drive to be someone greater than who they were before.”
Galvan serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Being in the Navy means I get to serve in the finest navy the world has ever seen,” said Galvan. “I see the good that the U.S. does around the world.”
Galvan is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I want to thank my parents for my upbringing and the time and dedication they put into me and my brother,” added Galvan. “They gave up a lot for me and my brother’s happiness. I want to thank Lt. Cmdr. Josh Malia as well for molding me into a capable officer. He was a great mentor and was dedicated to making sure I knew what success looked like. I also want to thank Albert Meza for being a mentor and for guiding me and helping me through the military application process. He taught me about the success you can achieve in the military.”