SEATTLE - Petty Officer 1st Class Javier Guerra Pincay, from Queens, New York, 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 |
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Queens.
“I came to Queens from Ecuador when I was 19, and my neighbor, Charlie, was a World War II vet and served on a destroyer,” said Guerra Pincay. “He told me about his time in the Navy and the sacrifices he made for the world to serve his country. Remembering his stories about his journey and what he went through helped me build resilience. As I was shipping out, he told me it’s going to get tough and then it’s going to get tougher. He said, ‘When it gets too bad, call me or email me.’ I went home before he passed and he was excited to talk and hear my stories.”
Guerra Pincay joined the Navy 18 years ago. Today, Guerra Pincay serves as a culinary specialist.
“I joined the Navy to help me go to college, however, I enjoyed my time and decided to reenlist to continue on with my journey,” said Guerra Pincay. “My neighbor, Charlie, was also a big inspiration behind my decision to join. I’m also the first in my family to serve in the military.”
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.”
Guerra Pincay has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am so proud of everyone I’ve met and helped on their journey,” said Guerra Pincay. “As I have risen in rank, I’ve tried to mentor and help everybody on their journey. Things get tough for everybody, but I remind them why they joined, that it’s not for everyone and everyone’s journey is different. I remind them that this is what’s going to define them and that they need to push through.”
Guerra Pincay serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“To me, serving in the Navy is the selfless act of embarking upon a journey to protect those I love,” said Guerra Pincay.
Guerra Pincay is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I want to thank my family, my wife and two children,” added Guerra Pincay. “They’re my moment of clarity.”