GROTON, Conn. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Ezekiel Porras, a native of Vail, Arizona, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Virginia, homeported at Naval Submarine Base New London.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
As a submariner, Porras is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel who serve under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Porras graduated from Cienega High School in 2022. Additionally, Porras is currently applying to the U.S. Naval Academy with plans to study aerospace engineering.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Vail.
“Growing up, I learned how to identify suspicious or shady people and avoid them,” Porras said. “That helps me stay out of trouble and stay away from bad situations. It helps me fix the situations if need be.”
Porras joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Porras serves as a torpedoman’s mate aboard USS Virginia, a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine.
“I joined the Navy for the education opportunities and the early job experience,” Porras said. “I wanted to see new places overseas and have new opportunities.”
Known as America’s “Apex Predators,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technologically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security. A major component of that maritime security is homeported at Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut, known as the “Submarine Capital of the World.”
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines, ballistic-missile submarines and guided-missile submarines.
Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine is the most advanced submarine in the world today. It combines stealth and payload capability to meet Combatant Commanders’ demands in this era of strategic competition.
The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. They are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles. The Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarines will be the largest, most capable and most advanced submarine produced by the U.S., replacing the current Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines to ensure continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.
Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each guided-missile submarine is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.
Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Porras is part of the rich 125-year history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in the defense of America and its allies.
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.
Porras has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My biggest accomplishment is setting two records for fastest torpedo tube reload time in the fleet and fastest countermeasure employment time,” Porras said. “My torpedo tube reload time was 11 minutes and 42 seconds. Fleet-wide, the standard is 25 minutes, but most boats on the waterfront average 15 minutes. My fastest singular countermeasure employment time was 23 seconds, and the average was 35 seconds. It’s important to me because I like to always try to be the best at my job. Doing that reinforces the fact that I’m really good at my job. I enjoy setting standards and being the person others can be like on my boat or on the waterfront.”
Porras 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 a good amount to me,” Porras said. “I’m the first in my family to be in the military. What I do helps people, even if it’s in an indirect sense. People forget sometimes that we’re out here protecting them, but knowing that we’re out here fighting terrorism is a good feeling to me.”
Porras is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom, Lorena Knight, and my girlfriend, Soren Ziemba,” Porras added. “Throughout my whole career, they’ve done nothing but support me. They always celebrate my accomplishments, even when I’m not celebrating. They motivate me to keep doing great.”