SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 3rd Class Vitabella Di Pietro, a native of Jacksonville, North Carolina, serves aboard USS Abraham Lincoln, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joseph Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Di Pietro graduated from Jacksonville High School in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Jacksonville.
“A lesson I’ve applied to the Navy from my hometown is just staying away from the wrong crowd and doing what I think is best for me,” Di Pietro said. “It kept me on track with excelling and taking advantage of the opportunities that I have.”
Di Pietro joined the Navy nearly three years ago. Today, Di Pietro serves as an aviation boatswain’s mate (equipment).
“I was inspired to join the Navy in hopes that I would be able to have a fresh start out of my hometown and be able to travel,” Di Pietro said. “I was more drawn to the Navy.”
Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s Naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.
According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and combat capability of its air wing.
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.
Di Pietro has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud that I became topside qualified,” Di Pietro said. “I worked hard and pushed myself to reach my goal. I am proud of this because even when others doubted me or I doubted myself, I still got it done.”
Di Pietro 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 mostly means a lot to me because of the respect I receive from my family and friends,” Di Pietro said. “Seeing how proud it makes them means a lot to me.”
Di Pietro is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank everyone who helped me get through my hard times while being out to sea,” Di Pietro added. “It really made me who I am today.”