SAN DIEGO - Airman Justin Cruz, a native of Jersey City, New Jersey, 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 |
Cruz graduated from St. Peters Prep in 2002.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Jersey City.
“The main thing I learned growing up is to take pride in your roots,” Cruz said. “I grew up in a neighborhood called Greenville. It was a little rougher around the edges and was drastically different than my high school, which was more affluent. Having the opportunity to live in both communities taught me the value of different experiences.”
Cruz joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Cruz serves as an air traffic controller.
“I joined the Navy because I sought stability and a change of pace,” Cruz said. “The Navy offered both of those things. I also realized it is never too late and you are never too old to affect positive change in your life.”
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.
Cruz has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am proud of earning the top 3% ribbon in boot camp,” Cruz said. "When I first got to the recruitment office, I was informed I was entering a young man's world and I was going to be more seasoned than my peers. However, I put my head down and focused. My maturity was something I could leverage. My age wasn't a detriment, but something that I found beneficial. I was able to appreciate my training more while supporting my peers."
Cruz serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
“In this organization, I can build professional and personal skills,” Cruz said. "I get to serve my country like the proud souls that came before me while providing stability to my family and myself."
Cruz is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“Of course, I want to thank my wife, Jennica, first,” Cruz said. "She is from the United Kingdom and she had never been exposed to the military before. However, she has been nothing but supportive ever since I joined. I also want to thank my and friends who know what I endured to get where I am today. After everything I went through, and starting from square one after making a career-altering decision, they have been so supportive of me."
Cruz offered some words of advice for those who may be seeking a career in the Navy.
“There are going to be a lot of common stories about how people joined the Navy,” Cruz added. "I joined later in life, and this personal journey has helped me build a better life for myself. Regardless of your age, you can always take a leap to pursue a new career that can bring you more happiness."