PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Salazar, a native of Bryan, Texas, serves aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Bougainville, in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
PCU is a designation used by the U.S. Navy to describe crews aboard vessels under construction prior to official commissioning. As one of the Secretary of the Navy’s priorities, America’s shipbuilding industry is a national security asset that strengthens deterrence, enhances global readiness, and keeps the fleet forward. Modernization efforts are creating American jobs, revitalizing communities, and fueling innovation.
Salazar graduated from Bryan High School in 2008.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Bryan.
“I learned to seek out opportunities to broaden my horizons,” Salazar said.
Salazar joined the Navy 12 years ago. Today, Salazar serves as an aviation support equipment technician.
“I was interested in the travel offered in the military,” Salazar said. “I spent most of my career in Japan. While stationed there, I was also able to visit Korea”
This is the second ship named in honor of the Bougainville World War II campaign. As a large-deck amphibious assault ship, Bougainville is nearly three football fields long, with a crew of more than 1,200 that can support up to 1,800 troops and their equipment.
Salazar has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is making my current rank of first class petty officer,” Salazar said.
As Salazar and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“Serving in the Navy offers me something to work for and gives life meaning,” Salazar said.
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
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 trained sailors and a strong Navy.
Salazar is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my dad, Steve, for showing me to always grow and never be satisfied with where I am,” added Salazar. “I also want to thank my mom, Jeannette Pena, for always being there for me.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hunter Harwell, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
PCU is a designation used by the U.S. Navy to describe crews aboard vessels under construction prior to official commissioning. As one of the Secretary of the Navy’s priorities, America’s shipbuilding industry is a national security asset that strengthens deterrence, enhances global readiness, and keeps the fleet forward. Modernization efforts are creating American jobs, revitalizing communities, and fueling innovation.
Salazar graduated from Bryan High School in 2008.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Bryan.
“I learned to seek out opportunities to broaden my horizons,” Salazar said.
Salazar joined the Navy 12 years ago. Today, Salazar serves as an aviation support equipment technician.
“I was interested in the travel offered in the military,” Salazar said. “I spent most of my career in Japan. While stationed there, I was also able to visit Korea”
This is the second ship named in honor of the Bougainville World War II campaign. As a large-deck amphibious assault ship, Bougainville is nearly three football fields long, with a crew of more than 1,200 that can support up to 1,800 troops and their equipment.
Salazar has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is making my current rank of first class petty officer,” Salazar said.
As Salazar and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“Serving in the Navy offers me something to work for and gives life meaning,” Salazar said.
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
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 trained sailors and a strong Navy.
Salazar is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my dad, Steve, for showing me to always grow and never be satisfied with where I am,” added Salazar. “I also want to thank my mom, Jeannette Pena, for always being there for me.”