SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 3rd Class Melissa Venegas, a native of Visalia, California, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23.
Venegas graduated from Golden West High School in 2017.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Visalia.
“My hometown is a very agricultural-centric area in central California,” Venegas said. “It is full of very motivated individuals. Coming from a town where hard work was how you succeeded, I was able to apply this directly to my work every day. The Navy is a demanding environment, and I was able to always meet these expectations through the diligence I developed at an early age.”
Venegas joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Venegas serves as a yeoman.
“No one in my family has a military background,” Venegas said. “I wanted to join to make my parents proud and to finish my schooling. I was attending school part-time while working, but I was looking for a more fulfilling opportunity. I have an adventurous mindset, and I wanted the opportunity to see what the world had to offer. The Navy aligned with my core values while providing me with opportunities I couldn’t have imagined. I get the opportunity to meet new people, see new places and work new jobs every year.”
Members of HSC-23 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.
Venegas has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“Even though I am still new to the Navy, I set out to pursue excellence right away,” Venegas said. “I graduated in the top 10% of my class, which expedited my promotion to petty officer third class. I was able to see the fruits of my labor right away in the Navy. The tenacity I bring to work every day not only helps motivate me, but I have found it helps motivate my peers.”
Venegas serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“The Navy is rooted in history,” Venegas said. “Learning about the sailors who came before reminds me why I am here. Every day I put on this uniform, I know I am not only supporting this country, but I am supporting all of the sailors around the world who are supporting us this minute.”
Venegas is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I definitely want to thank my parents,” Venegas added. “They gave everything to give me the opportunity to be where I am today. They are the most hardworking individuals I have ever met, and despite their circumstances, they never gave up. They did everything to provide us with the opportunity to succeed here. They motivate me every day to be a better version of myself.”
Venegas has goals for their future in the Navy.
“I hope to continue advancing my career,” Venegas said. “I aspire to be an officer one day to assume a leadership role to pay forward all the support my leaders have provided me.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joseph Sitter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West |
Venegas graduated from Golden West High School in 2017.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Visalia.
“My hometown is a very agricultural-centric area in central California,” Venegas said. “It is full of very motivated individuals. Coming from a town where hard work was how you succeeded, I was able to apply this directly to my work every day. The Navy is a demanding environment, and I was able to always meet these expectations through the diligence I developed at an early age.”
Venegas joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Venegas serves as a yeoman.
“No one in my family has a military background,” Venegas said. “I wanted to join to make my parents proud and to finish my schooling. I was attending school part-time while working, but I was looking for a more fulfilling opportunity. I have an adventurous mindset, and I wanted the opportunity to see what the world had to offer. The Navy aligned with my core values while providing me with opportunities I couldn’t have imagined. I get the opportunity to meet new people, see new places and work new jobs every year.”
Members of HSC-23 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.
Venegas has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“Even though I am still new to the Navy, I set out to pursue excellence right away,” Venegas said. “I graduated in the top 10% of my class, which expedited my promotion to petty officer third class. I was able to see the fruits of my labor right away in the Navy. The tenacity I bring to work every day not only helps motivate me, but I have found it helps motivate my peers.”
Venegas serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“The Navy is rooted in history,” Venegas said. “Learning about the sailors who came before reminds me why I am here. Every day I put on this uniform, I know I am not only supporting this country, but I am supporting all of the sailors around the world who are supporting us this minute.”
Venegas is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I definitely want to thank my parents,” Venegas added. “They gave everything to give me the opportunity to be where I am today. They are the most hardworking individuals I have ever met, and despite their circumstances, they never gave up. They did everything to provide us with the opportunity to succeed here. They motivate me every day to be a better version of myself.”
Venegas has goals for their future in the Navy.
“I hope to continue advancing my career,” Venegas said. “I aspire to be an officer one day to assume a leadership role to pay forward all the support my leaders have provided me.”