GULFPORT, Miss. - Since 1942, sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Construction Force have been building and fighting around the world. Constructionman Recruit Angel Valdez, a Los Angeles, California, native is one of those sailors.
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| Photo by Chief Engineering Aide Chad Hook |
Valdez is a builder currently serving with Naval Construction Training Center at the headquarters for naval construction forces in Gulfport, Mississippi, that serves as a home base for the Atlantic Fleet Seabees.
Valdez graduated from Augustus F. Hawkins High School in 2019.
Valdez joined the Navy less than a year years ago.
“I joined because I wanted to be a part of this Seabee rate," said Valdez. "I also wanted to better my life. I come from a rough background and wanted to be the first in my family to serve my country."
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Los Angeles.
“I've had leadership roles outside of the Navy working for Crypto Arena,” said Valdez. "I was a supervisor for the online special projects and made sure that the stadium was stocked with their merchandise before the Lakers and the Clippers games."
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.
Valdez serves a Navy that operates far 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.”
Valdez has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is graduating from Seablee 'A' school,” said Valdez. "It's my proudest accomplishment because I never really accomplished anything of such magnitude. It gives me a sense of pride knowing I finished at the top of my class.”
Valdez can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving means helping one another,” said Valdez. “It also makes my family proud and gives me a chance to better myself, to meet great people and serve and protect those I love.”
Valdez is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my parents, Israel Valdez and Leticia Hernandez,” said Valdez. "They encourage me to always strive to be better, and they were very supportive of me throughout my process of joining the Navy."“My goal is to make petty officer first class,” added Valdez. "I like to put more challenge on myself and have more leadership roles."