SAN DIEGO - Airman Hung Le, from Vietnam, 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 |
Le graduated from Nguyen Trai High School in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam, in 2015. Additionally, Le earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Santa Ana College in 2019 and is currently working on a bachelor’s in general studies through National University.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Vietnam.
“Growing up, I learned the importance of having a good work ethic,” Le said. “I worked a lot of jobs before I joined the military. People will say sometimes this is hard and stressful, but my work before taught me this isn’t that bad.”
Le joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Le serves as an aviation support equipment technician.
“I joined the Navy for the educational benefits,” Le said. “I also wanted to help my family. I was driving by and saw the Navy recruiting office and stopped in. I didn’t do any research beforehand.”
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.
Le has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of finishing my first deployment,” Le said. “It’s something to be proud of.”
Le 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 is a great opportunity for me to better myself,” Le said.
Le is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my family for their support,” Le added. “Whenever I’m feeling down, they help me and are there for me to talk to. They give me encouragement and help me think positively. They always tell me I can do it.”