SAN DIEGO - Airman Apprentice Kaden Rhoden, a native of Clermont, Florida, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Carl Vinson, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of San Diego, California.
Rhoden graduated from East George High School in 2023.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Clermont.
“The lessons I learned growing up in my hometown were to put forth effort into everything that you do so that God may open up doors that you never had before,” Rhoden said. “You can only control the choices you make, so make the right ones to forge the future you desire. If you want something bad enough, you will find a way.”
Rhoden joined the Navy four months ago. Today, Rhoden serves as an undesignated sailor in the Airman Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (A/PACT) program.
“My inspiration for joining the Navy was from a multitude of factors,” Rhoden said. “The four main factors are financial stability, self improvement, finding purpose, and to build a fruitful future.”
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.
Carl Vinson returned in August 2025 from a nine-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations, during which it conducted freedom of navigation operations, multinational exercises with U.S. allies and partners, and combat operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Back in its homeport of San Diego, Carl Vinson remains a combat-ready force dedicated to protecting and defending the United States.
Among the largest warships in the world, USS Carl Vinson is longer than three football fields at 1,092 feet. The ship is 252 feet wide and weighs more than 100,000 tons. More than 5,000 sailors serve aboard these self-contained mobile airports.
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 might of this ship doesn’t just come from its advanced technology, but from the skillful, resilient and courageous men and women who serve aboard,” said Capt. Joshua Wenker, commanding officer of Carl Vinson. “Our sailors have always been, and will always be, our greatest asset. Their hard work, dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence ensure that we execute the mission aboard America’s Favorite Carrier with pride and precision every single day.”
Rhoden has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“The accomplishment that I am most proud of is I recently earned the Honor Recruit Ribbon in boot camp,” Rhoden said. “I received this honor due to my performance in Basic Military Training along with excelling in physical readiness, leadership, academics, and a commitment to Navy core values.”
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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
“Serving in the Navy gives me a way to better myself and have a stable job,” Rhoden said. “It also gives me a sense of purpose, gives me a way to protect my family and my country, and it lets me be a role model to my younger brothers.”
Rhoden is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my parents as well as my Recruit Division Commander,” Rhoden said. “My parents have instilled in me the values and lessons that have led me to join the Navy. My Recruit Division Commander has shown me the sailor I can be and strive to become every day.”
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Caleb Kissner, Fleet Public Affairs Center San Diego |
Rhoden graduated from East George High School in 2023.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Clermont.
“The lessons I learned growing up in my hometown were to put forth effort into everything that you do so that God may open up doors that you never had before,” Rhoden said. “You can only control the choices you make, so make the right ones to forge the future you desire. If you want something bad enough, you will find a way.”
Rhoden joined the Navy four months ago. Today, Rhoden serves as an undesignated sailor in the Airman Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (A/PACT) program.
“My inspiration for joining the Navy was from a multitude of factors,” Rhoden said. “The four main factors are financial stability, self improvement, finding purpose, and to build a fruitful future.”
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.
Carl Vinson returned in August 2025 from a nine-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations, during which it conducted freedom of navigation operations, multinational exercises with U.S. allies and partners, and combat operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Back in its homeport of San Diego, Carl Vinson remains a combat-ready force dedicated to protecting and defending the United States.
Among the largest warships in the world, USS Carl Vinson is longer than three football fields at 1,092 feet. The ship is 252 feet wide and weighs more than 100,000 tons. More than 5,000 sailors serve aboard these self-contained mobile airports.
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 might of this ship doesn’t just come from its advanced technology, but from the skillful, resilient and courageous men and women who serve aboard,” said Capt. Joshua Wenker, commanding officer of Carl Vinson. “Our sailors have always been, and will always be, our greatest asset. Their hard work, dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence ensure that we execute the mission aboard America’s Favorite Carrier with pride and precision every single day.”
Rhoden has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“The accomplishment that I am most proud of is I recently earned the Honor Recruit Ribbon in boot camp,” Rhoden said. “I received this honor due to my performance in Basic Military Training along with excelling in physical readiness, leadership, academics, and a commitment to Navy core values.”
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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
“Serving in the Navy gives me a way to better myself and have a stable job,” Rhoden said. “It also gives me a sense of purpose, gives me a way to protect my family and my country, and it lets me be a role model to my younger brothers.”
Rhoden is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my parents as well as my Recruit Division Commander,” Rhoden said. “My parents have instilled in me the values and lessons that have led me to join the Navy. My Recruit Division Commander has shown me the sailor I can be and strive to become every day.”
Rhoden is hopeful for the future.
“I strive to be the person that others look up to while continually pursuing the best version of myself. As an A/PACT sailor, I am actively working toward my qualifications and being an asset to the division.,” Rhoden said. “When I am eligible to rerate, my goal is to become a Cyber Warfare Technician (CWT), gain operational experience, and pursue a degree that will allow me to commission and eventually serve as a Cyber Warfare Engineer.”
“I strive to be the person that others look up to while continually pursuing the best version of myself. As an A/PACT sailor, I am actively working toward my qualifications and being an asset to the division.,” Rhoden said. “When I am eligible to rerate, my goal is to become a Cyber Warfare Technician (CWT), gain operational experience, and pursue a degree that will allow me to commission and eventually serve as a Cyber Warfare Engineer.”