PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Petty Officer 2nd Class Steve Dinh, a native of Garden Grove, California, 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.
Dinh graduated from Rancho Alamitos in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Garden Grove.
“I learned from my hometown that the American dream is still alive and thriving,” said Dinh. “Seeing immigrants that are different generations of Vietnamese Americans being successful and being able to adapt to the American culture while still keeping Vietnamese tradition shows that I can do anything.”
Dinh joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Dinh serves as a hospital corpsman.
“I joined the Navy as a way to give back to the country that provided my family a new opportunity,” said Dinh. “My grandpa served in the Vietnam War as a South Vietnamese army officer, and the U.S. provided an opportunity for him and his family to come to America after the war was over.”
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.
Dinh has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of being meritoriously promoted to petty officer 2nd class in April 2025,” said Dinh. “A combination of a new environment and amazing leaders really helped me achieve a goal that I thought was impossible for me.”
As Dinh and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“What serving in the Navy means to me is being proud of my country,” said Dinh. “The military is the only job that cares about the work you do and what you do beyond your work. It helps to push the idea to become a well-rounded person in and out of the uniform.”
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.
Dinh is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“Shout out to coach Bin, coach Than and coach Doles for shaping me into the person I am now and for being mentors that I didn't know I needed,” added Dinh.
Dinh had opportunities to interact with other service members outside of the work.
“I know the military is very much about work, but I also got the opportunity to be part of an Indo-Pacific Command volleyball tournament,” said Dinh. “Everyone stationed overseas came together to have fun and play games. Being able to compete with different service members and people from different countries was a great experience. For the Armed Forces Volleyball Championship, I was there to represent the Navy, and we placed second.”
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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.
Dinh graduated from Rancho Alamitos in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Garden Grove.
“I learned from my hometown that the American dream is still alive and thriving,” said Dinh. “Seeing immigrants that are different generations of Vietnamese Americans being successful and being able to adapt to the American culture while still keeping Vietnamese tradition shows that I can do anything.”
Dinh joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Dinh serves as a hospital corpsman.
“I joined the Navy as a way to give back to the country that provided my family a new opportunity,” said Dinh. “My grandpa served in the Vietnam War as a South Vietnamese army officer, and the U.S. provided an opportunity for him and his family to come to America after the war was over.”
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.
Dinh has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of being meritoriously promoted to petty officer 2nd class in April 2025,” said Dinh. “A combination of a new environment and amazing leaders really helped me achieve a goal that I thought was impossible for me.”
As Dinh and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.
“What serving in the Navy means to me is being proud of my country,” said Dinh. “The military is the only job that cares about the work you do and what you do beyond your work. It helps to push the idea to become a well-rounded person in and out of the uniform.”
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.
Dinh is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“Shout out to coach Bin, coach Than and coach Doles for shaping me into the person I am now and for being mentors that I didn't know I needed,” added Dinh.
Dinh had opportunities to interact with other service members outside of the work.
“I know the military is very much about work, but I also got the opportunity to be part of an Indo-Pacific Command volleyball tournament,” said Dinh. “Everyone stationed overseas came together to have fun and play games. Being able to compete with different service members and people from different countries was a great experience. For the Armed Forces Volleyball Championship, I was there to represent the Navy, and we placed second.”