SAN DIEGO - Seaman Freddie Fernandez, a native of Madera, California, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41.
Fernandez graduated from Matilda Torres High School in 2023.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Madera.
“Growing up, I learned how to be humble and hardworking,” Fernandez said. “In the Navy, we are all equals when we get to boot camp. Regardless of where we were from, we were all given the same opportunities.”
Fernandez joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Fernandez serves as an aviation machinist’s mate.
“I joined the Navy for a change of pace,” Fernandez said. “In my hometown, most people stay in the same profession in the same area for most of their lives. I wanted to have the opportunity to experience something different. I always enjoyed working with my hands and on engines, and the Navy provided me the opportunity to work on multi-million dollar aircraft.”
Members of HSM-41 fly and maintain the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform. The Navy MH-60R is able to perform many different missions. Some of the most common operations include strikes on maritime targets, submarine hunting and attack, electronic warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuations and supply support.
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.
Fernandez has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment so far in the Navy is moving to San Diego,” Fernandez said. “I didn’t have a lot of resources growing up, but to have the opportunity to move to San Diego for work has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It has broadened my perspective on how much more the world has to offer.”
Fernandez 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 has allowed me to see that the world has more to offer than we can imagine,” Fernandez said. “I get the opportunity to demonstrate to my siblings that the world has so much more to offer than what we saw growing up. As the oldest sibling and cousin, I have the opportunity to invoke change in our family to broaden our horizons and explore how much more we have to offer the world and how much more it has to offer to us.”
Fernandez is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom, dad, and grandparents,” Fernandez added. “My whole family was immediately supportive of my decision. They provided the resources to help me be successful. I am reminded every time I go home how proud they are of the decision I made to join.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joseph Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Fernandez graduated from Matilda Torres High School in 2023.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Madera.
“Growing up, I learned how to be humble and hardworking,” Fernandez said. “In the Navy, we are all equals when we get to boot camp. Regardless of where we were from, we were all given the same opportunities.”
Fernandez joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Fernandez serves as an aviation machinist’s mate.
“I joined the Navy for a change of pace,” Fernandez said. “In my hometown, most people stay in the same profession in the same area for most of their lives. I wanted to have the opportunity to experience something different. I always enjoyed working with my hands and on engines, and the Navy provided me the opportunity to work on multi-million dollar aircraft.”
Members of HSM-41 fly and maintain the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform. The Navy MH-60R is able to perform many different missions. Some of the most common operations include strikes on maritime targets, submarine hunting and attack, electronic warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuations and supply support.
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.
Fernandez has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment so far in the Navy is moving to San Diego,” Fernandez said. “I didn’t have a lot of resources growing up, but to have the opportunity to move to San Diego for work has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It has broadened my perspective on how much more the world has to offer.”
Fernandez 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 has allowed me to see that the world has more to offer than we can imagine,” Fernandez said. “I get the opportunity to demonstrate to my siblings that the world has so much more to offer than what we saw growing up. As the oldest sibling and cousin, I have the opportunity to invoke change in our family to broaden our horizons and explore how much more we have to offer the world and how much more it has to offer to us.”
Fernandez is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom, dad, and grandparents,” Fernandez added. “My whole family was immediately supportive of my decision. They provided the resources to help me be successful. I am reminded every time I go home how proud they are of the decision I made to join.”