SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 2nd Class Travonte Johnson, a native of Fresno, California, serves the U.S. Navy at Naval Base Point Loma.
Johnson graduated from Madera High School in 2011.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Fresno.
“I learned in Fresno to never give up on someone else,” Johnson said. “Everyone goes through things, and just because someone is having a bad day, that doesn’t mean they are a bad person. They just need someone to listen to them. The Navy is very similar. People come from all backgrounds, and they might not know how the world works since this is their first time living on their own. It is important to not give up on them and be the person who steers them in the right direction.”
Johnson joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Johnson serves as a master-at-arms.
“I joined the Navy because the company I was working with at the time was bought out and my department closed down,” Johnson said. “So, I didn’t have a job and I needed to take care of my newborn daughter. The Navy offered me a means to take care of her.”
Naval Base Point Loma provides support to 70 U.S. Pacific Fleet commands headquartered on the base, including five nuclear-powered fast attack submarines. The base is also home to Cabrillo National Park and the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, which averages more than 1.2 million visitors annually.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Johnson has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of winning an award from the Chief of Police Association in Fresno for saving a guy’s life from overdosing on fentanyl,” Johnson said. “I was there for my cousin’s college graduation, and I was wearing my uniform, so someone asked me for help. I’m proud of that because not a lot of people get to use the training we receive in the military, and I was able to apply it in that situation to save a person’s life. It also positively represented my command, and I received tickets to a Padres game for my efforts.”
Johnson serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means sacrificing your off days and holidays for missions to make sure everyone else can sleep home safely at night,” Johnson said. “Only 1% of the people in this country raise their right hand for this, and I am proud to be a part of such a small group.”
Johnson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents, Jennifer Balbas, Scott Balbas, David Boyce and Delois Boyce, for being strict on me growing up because that really prepared me for boot camp,” Johnson said. “They also taught me how to be a leader. I didn’t appreciate it at the time but I’m grateful for it now. I also want to thank my daughter, Athena, for understanding that Daddy has to work long hours. In her eyes, I am a superhero, but she is mine.
“Lastly, I want to thank Chief Master-at-Arms Quentin Benjamin, Chief Master-at-Arms Tiffany Swickard, Master-at-Arms 1st Class Sherry Mares, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Justin Street, Master-at-Arms 1st Class Alejandro Holguin and Chief Master-at-Arms Nicholas Fields for not giving up on me and for showing me the right path. They also showed me things might be a little difficult now, but it won’t always be like this.”
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Johnson graduated from Madera High School in 2011.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Fresno.
“I learned in Fresno to never give up on someone else,” Johnson said. “Everyone goes through things, and just because someone is having a bad day, that doesn’t mean they are a bad person. They just need someone to listen to them. The Navy is very similar. People come from all backgrounds, and they might not know how the world works since this is their first time living on their own. It is important to not give up on them and be the person who steers them in the right direction.”
Johnson joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Johnson serves as a master-at-arms.
“I joined the Navy because the company I was working with at the time was bought out and my department closed down,” Johnson said. “So, I didn’t have a job and I needed to take care of my newborn daughter. The Navy offered me a means to take care of her.”
Naval Base Point Loma provides support to 70 U.S. Pacific Fleet commands headquartered on the base, including five nuclear-powered fast attack submarines. The base is also home to Cabrillo National Park and the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, which averages more than 1.2 million visitors annually.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Johnson has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of winning an award from the Chief of Police Association in Fresno for saving a guy’s life from overdosing on fentanyl,” Johnson said. “I was there for my cousin’s college graduation, and I was wearing my uniform, so someone asked me for help. I’m proud of that because not a lot of people get to use the training we receive in the military, and I was able to apply it in that situation to save a person’s life. It also positively represented my command, and I received tickets to a Padres game for my efforts.”
Johnson serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means sacrificing your off days and holidays for missions to make sure everyone else can sleep home safely at night,” Johnson said. “Only 1% of the people in this country raise their right hand for this, and I am proud to be a part of such a small group.”
Johnson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents, Jennifer Balbas, Scott Balbas, David Boyce and Delois Boyce, for being strict on me growing up because that really prepared me for boot camp,” Johnson said. “They also taught me how to be a leader. I didn’t appreciate it at the time but I’m grateful for it now. I also want to thank my daughter, Athena, for understanding that Daddy has to work long hours. In her eyes, I am a superhero, but she is mine.
“Lastly, I want to thank Chief Master-at-Arms Quentin Benjamin, Chief Master-at-Arms Tiffany Swickard, Master-at-Arms 1st Class Sherry Mares, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Justin Street, Master-at-Arms 1st Class Alejandro Holguin and Chief Master-at-Arms Nicholas Fields for not giving up on me and for showing me the right path. They also showed me things might be a little difficult now, but it won’t always be like this.”