BOSTON - Seaman Angel Morales, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, is one of more than 60 sailors celebrating America’s 249 years of independence while serving aboard USS Constitution, the Navy’s oldest commissioned warship.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Morales graduated from Baldwin Middle-Senior High School in 2023.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Jacksonville.
“I learned how to become a leader at a young age in the Army Junior ROTC program,” Morales said. “I learned a lot from my friends, who are a huge support group, especially Ciara Wilson and Garrett Anthony. The church that I went to, Celebration Church, taught me how to be patient and grow to become a better version of myself than before.”
Morales joined the Navy over a year ago.
“I was inspired to join by my family and my cousin, Mark Pacheco, who served in the Navy as a boatswain’s mate in the early 2000s,” Morales said. “I joined the Army JROTC program in high school.”
Launched from a Boston shipyard in October 1797, Constitution is the only surviving vessel of the Navy’s original six frigates and is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat. The ship earned the nickname “Old Ironsides” during the War of 1812 after British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull. Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured or destroyed 33 enemy vessels in its nearly 60 years of active service.
Now, 227 years after its launch, Constitution’s primary mission is education and outreach, welcoming more than 500,000 visitors aboard each year. Its crew of more than 60 sailors is hand-picked to preserve and protect Constitution, while promoting naval history, maritime heritage and raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence. The ship’s original missions of defending American interests and protecting sea lanes to ensure commerce remain at the forefront of the Navy’s mission today.
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.
Morales has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is being selected to serve on board the USS Constitution,” Morales said. “Only 1% of the Navy is selected for this ceremonial command. It’s a great accomplishment to be part of a ceremonial duty that lets me be part of the ship’s history and the Navy’s heritage. I was also recently certified as a command pay and personnel administrator.”
Morales 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 means being a leader who is willing to push and continue forward,” Morales said. “Even if I fall, I still get back up and continue growing. I’m not perfect, but that’s what makes me human and allows me to make those mistakes and learn from them.”
Morales is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mother, Milagros Morales, my aunt, Minerva Pacheco, my uncle, Edwin Pacheco, and all of my family and friends who have supported me,” Morales added. “My family is my biggest support group. I also want to thank Celebration Church, my school and my Army JROTC instructors, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Spano, retired Maj. Charles Mallard and retired Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jose Oyola-Cosme.”