SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 3rd Class Roman Segreti, a native of Kenosha, Wisconsin, serves aboard USS Jack H. Lucas, a U.S. Navy warship operating out of San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Segreti graduated from Harborside Academy in 2022.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Kenosha.
“Growing up, I learned how to take a hit and keep on going – how to be resilient,” Segreti said. “It’s important to know that you’re not always going to get a win every time. You can’t keep that loser’s mentality. If something goes wrong, you have to live and learn from that mistake. It’s something that has helped me in my naval career.”
Segreti joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Segreti serves as a machinist’s mate.
“My dad and my older sister were in the Air Force, so it’s always been in my mind to join the military,” Segreti said. “I hope to use the Navy as a way to gain mechanical knowledge on all types of equipment, so I can find what I like and use it in the outside world.”
Jack H. Lucas is named for Marine Corps Pfc. Jack Lucas, who served in the Marines during World War II and earned the Medal of Honor for his heroism at the Battle of Iwo Jima after saving the lives of three Marines when he was just 17 years old. Lucas is the youngest Marine, and the youngest service member in World War II, to be awarded the United States’ highest military honor for valor.
Jack H. Lucas is a Navy destroyer, a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
More than 300 sailors serve aboard Jack H. Lucas. Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.
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.
Segreti has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of helping to bring a piece of engineering equipment that had been out of commission back online,” Segreti said. “It needed a lot of parts and a lot of maintenance. I helped my team bring it back to working condition to complete the ship’s mission. We received a shout out from the commanding officer for our work.”
Segreti serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“For me, serving in the Navy means doing your job to the best of your abilities and pushing through the hardships,” Segreti said.
Segreti is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank everyone from my first ship, the "A-Gang," especially those from my shop,” Segreti added. “They taught me everything I know right now and how to succeed in the Navy. They showed me ways to deal with all the hardships we have to go through.”