GULFPORT, Miss. - Since 1942, sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Construction Force have been building and fighting around the world.
Seaman Apprentice Vidal Garcia, a native of Washington Heights, New York, with ties to Manhattan, currently serves with Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport as a builder serving with more than 10,000 service members, civilian personnel, veterans and family members associated with the installation.
Whether serving in the construction force or in a supporting role, the sailors of NCBC Gulfport personify the “Can-Do” motto of Seabees and are ready to deploy and serve globally.
Garcia, who graduated from the High School for Excellence and Innovation in 2019, joined the Navy one year ago.
“I joined the Navy to make a difference and to show my hometown that it’s possible to start a career in the military,” said Garcia.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Washington Heights.
“Everyone in my community is work-oriented and driven to make something of themselves and to make a difference in the community,” said Garcia.
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.
Garcia 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.”
Garcia has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of being promoted from seaman recruit to seaman apprentice and I’m ready to keep getting promoted to show my hometown that it is easy and anyone can do it,” said Garcia.
Garcia can take pride in serving America through military service.
“It plays into our Sailor’s Creed and the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment,” said Garcia. “In the Navy, you have to be dedicated and fully committed. It’s either a job or a career.”
Garcia is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I’d like to give a shout-out to Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Carmen, who was my recruiter in East Orange Country in south New Jersey,” said Garcia. “It was a long process to join and he was there with me the whole way. He did everything to ensure I could join the Navy.”
Garcia has set goals for their future and is working toward achieving them.
“My short-term goal is to look at how to manage situations and how to be a better leader,” added Garcia. “My long-term goal is to make it 20 to 25 years in the Navy.”
 |
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Derek Harkins |
Seaman Apprentice Vidal Garcia, a native of Washington Heights, New York, with ties to Manhattan, currently serves with Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport as a builder serving with more than 10,000 service members, civilian personnel, veterans and family members associated with the installation.
Whether serving in the construction force or in a supporting role, the sailors of NCBC Gulfport personify the “Can-Do” motto of Seabees and are ready to deploy and serve globally.
Garcia, who graduated from the High School for Excellence and Innovation in 2019, joined the Navy one year ago.
“I joined the Navy to make a difference and to show my hometown that it’s possible to start a career in the military,” said Garcia.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Washington Heights.
“Everyone in my community is work-oriented and driven to make something of themselves and to make a difference in the community,” said Garcia.
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.
Garcia 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.”
Garcia has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of being promoted from seaman recruit to seaman apprentice and I’m ready to keep getting promoted to show my hometown that it is easy and anyone can do it,” said Garcia.
Garcia can take pride in serving America through military service.
“It plays into our Sailor’s Creed and the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment,” said Garcia. “In the Navy, you have to be dedicated and fully committed. It’s either a job or a career.”
Garcia is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I’d like to give a shout-out to Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Carmen, who was my recruiter in East Orange Country in south New Jersey,” said Garcia. “It was a long process to join and he was there with me the whole way. He did everything to ensure I could join the Navy.”
Garcia has set goals for their future and is working toward achieving them.
“My short-term goal is to look at how to manage situations and how to be a better leader,” added Garcia. “My long-term goal is to make it 20 to 25 years in the Navy.”