SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 1st Class Damien Monroy, a native of Ontario, California, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Carl Vinson, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of San Diego, California.
Monroy graduated from Chaffey High School in 2009.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Ontario.
“A great lesson that was instilled in me is to always have a goal that you are working towards to better yourself and further exceed in your career,” Monroy said. “If you are working on a goal and someone else is working on the same goal, it is better and easier for both individuals to build off of one another in order to accomplish what they set out to do.”
Monroy joined the Navy 15 years ago. Today, Monroy serves as an electrician's mate.
“I was initially inspired by a sister's friend when she joined. I saw the opportunities that were presented to her and I wanted that for myself,” Monroy said. “I also wanted to travel outside of my hometown and see the world.”
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.”
Monroy has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“As a petty officer third class, I was nominated several times for Sailor of the Quarter and eventually earned that title at Port Operations Naval Base San Diego,” Monroy said. “I was also promoted early from a petty officer third class to petty officer second class at that same command.”
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.
“The Navy means to me that one should always put forth their best in anything they achieve,” Monroy said. “Always work together towards a common goal to make accomplishing the mission easier and more attainable.”
Monroy is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my uncle who was and still is a father figure in my life,” Monroy said. “My uncle has taught me different life lessons that have carried over and helped me accomplish and achieve different goals in my Navy career. He has always been a role model, even to this day.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Caleb Kissner, Fleet Public Affairs Center San Diego |
Monroy graduated from Chaffey High School in 2009.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Ontario.
“A great lesson that was instilled in me is to always have a goal that you are working towards to better yourself and further exceed in your career,” Monroy said. “If you are working on a goal and someone else is working on the same goal, it is better and easier for both individuals to build off of one another in order to accomplish what they set out to do.”
Monroy joined the Navy 15 years ago. Today, Monroy serves as an electrician's mate.
“I was initially inspired by a sister's friend when she joined. I saw the opportunities that were presented to her and I wanted that for myself,” Monroy said. “I also wanted to travel outside of my hometown and see the world.”
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.”
Monroy has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“As a petty officer third class, I was nominated several times for Sailor of the Quarter and eventually earned that title at Port Operations Naval Base San Diego,” Monroy said. “I was also promoted early from a petty officer third class to petty officer second class at that same command.”
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.
“The Navy means to me that one should always put forth their best in anything they achieve,” Monroy said. “Always work together towards a common goal to make accomplishing the mission easier and more attainable.”
Monroy is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my uncle who was and still is a father figure in my life,” Monroy said. “My uncle has taught me different life lessons that have carried over and helped me accomplish and achieve different goals in my Navy career. He has always been a role model, even to this day.”
Monroy looks forward for the future.
“I plan on making it to the full 20 years and I am already up for chief and look forward to earning that rank,” Monroy said. “Once I retire, I'm looking forward to working with my father as a personal electrical contractor.”
“I plan on making it to the full 20 years and I am already up for chief and look forward to earning that rank,” Monroy said. “Once I retire, I'm looking forward to working with my father as a personal electrical contractor.”