MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Ace Abecilla, from San Diego, California, recently reenlisted as an active-duty sailor in the U.S. Navy after spending time in the Navy Reserve.
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| Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Ace Abecilla, right, receives a certificate of reenlistment during his reenlistment ceremony in August. |
Abecilla, a 2010 graduate of Mira Mesa High School, earned a degree in accounting from San Diego State University in December 2019.
Abecilla served on active duty in the Navy for nine years before leaving military service briefly. Abecilla decided to join the Navy Reserve to maintain health benefits after losing his civilian job due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a reservist, Abecilla took active duty orders as a lock technician in the Department of Defense Lock Program at the Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC), headquartered at Naval Base Ventura County, California. Abecilla reenlisted in August at the Lock Program display at NAVFAC EXWC and returned to active duty.
“My wife and I welcomed our firstborn, a beautiful baby girl, earlier this year,” said Abecilla. “With our new family dynamic, I decided to return to active duty. This decision allows my wife to take time off from work and dedicate herself to being at home with our daughter during those crucial early years. My wife is also pursuing a master’s in public health, using GI Bill benefits I transferred to her.”
The DoD Lock Program is designated as the DoD technical authority for locks, safes, vaults, seals, and containers used to protect national security information (NSI) and arms, ammunitions, and explosives
Established in 2012, NAVFAC EXWC is a command of approximately 1,300 dedicated federal civilian employees, contractors and military personnel providing research, development, test and evaluation, and in-service engineering to deliver specialized facility and expeditionary solutions to the warfighter, according to Navy officials.
As NAVFAC’s only warfare center, its engineers, scientists, analysts, logisticians, contract specialists and other professional personnel provide technology and unique, agile solutions for the warfighter that specifically focus on expeditionary, oceans and shore needs from enduring bases to forward-deployed expeditionary locations.
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.
Abecilla 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.”
Abecilla has many opportunities to achieve great things during during military service. Abecilla earned a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and a NATO Medal for service during Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom.
As Abecilla and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“As an immigrant who moved to America from the Philippines with my mother and older sister, I have always felt deeply grateful to the country that welcomed us and provided so much,” said Abecilla. “America is truly beautiful in every sense of the word, and serving in the military is my way of expressing my gratitude. I am immensely proud of my military achievements; they symbolize my steadfast commitment to giving back to the country that embraced us.”
Abecilla is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my wife for supporting my ambitious plan in this exciting new chapter in my Navy career,” said Abecilla. “Your willingness to embark on this adventurous journey with me means the world, and I deeply appreciate your support and partnership as we navigate this next phase together.”
Abecilla, a hospital corpsman, has since transferred from EXWC, and now serves at Naval Medical Center Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He continues to look forward to all he would like to accomplish, during his time in the Navy and beyond.
“After my wife finishes her degree, I plan to utilize the Navy’s Tuition Assistance Program to further my own education goals, specifically pursuing a master’s in communication,” said Abecilla. “With less than 10 years remaining until I reach military retirement, I view this as a significant career goal and an important part of my long-term professional trajectory.”
Abecilla 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.”
Abecilla has many opportunities to achieve great things during during military service. Abecilla earned a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and a NATO Medal for service during Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom.
As Abecilla and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“As an immigrant who moved to America from the Philippines with my mother and older sister, I have always felt deeply grateful to the country that welcomed us and provided so much,” said Abecilla. “America is truly beautiful in every sense of the word, and serving in the military is my way of expressing my gratitude. I am immensely proud of my military achievements; they symbolize my steadfast commitment to giving back to the country that embraced us.”
Abecilla is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my wife for supporting my ambitious plan in this exciting new chapter in my Navy career,” said Abecilla. “Your willingness to embark on this adventurous journey with me means the world, and I deeply appreciate your support and partnership as we navigate this next phase together.”
Abecilla, a hospital corpsman, has since transferred from EXWC, and now serves at Naval Medical Center Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He continues to look forward to all he would like to accomplish, during his time in the Navy and beyond.
“After my wife finishes her degree, I plan to utilize the Navy’s Tuition Assistance Program to further my own education goals, specifically pursuing a master’s in communication,” said Abecilla. “With less than 10 years remaining until I reach military retirement, I view this as a significant career goal and an important part of my long-term professional trajectory.”