SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 2nd Class Fatima Vargas, a native of Oxnard, California, serves in the U.S. Navy with Naval Medical Forces Pacific (NMFP) San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob Allison |
Vargas graduated from Channel Islands High School in 2018.
Vargas joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Vargas serves as a yeoman.
“I joined the Navy because of the opportunity to pursue a higher education,” said Vargas. “Additionally, I wanted to be the first in my family to join the military and it has given me the ability to help them in many ways.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Oxnard.
“I grew up around my family and much of my extended family as well, and was also surrounded by people with similar backgrounds, many of them being first-generation Americans like myself,” said Vargas. “This taught me the importance of community and being able to rely on each other which has been important in the Navy because although we come from different backgrounds, we are all sailors and sometimes we are all that we have, just each other.”
In support of the U.S. Navy Surgeon General, NMFP provides command and control of all subordinate Navy Medicine Readiness Training Commands (NMRTCs), Readiness Training Units (NMRTUs) and assigned operational platforms to ensure they are fully trained, properly manned and capably equipped to be forward deployable and ready to execute operational medicine responsibilities in support of warfighter requirements, 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.
Vargas 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.”
Vargas has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment so far, has been being recognized as Sailor of the Quarter for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024,” said Vargas. “My command has many amazing and deserving sailors which makes it extremely competitive. It was an honor to have been nominated and selected.”
Vargas can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy means contributing to something beyond myself,” said Vargas. “I can serve my country, my peers and the community wherever I am stationed, and make a meaningful impact wherever I go.”
Vargas is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“My family, my parents and siblings, have always been there for me,” added Vargas. "They are always a phone call away, and thankfully a short drive away now, offering their support and encouraging me to be the best that I can be.”