SAN DIEGO - Airman Cameron QuinteroSmith, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Carl Vinson, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of San Diego, California.
QuinteroSmith graduated from Girard Academic Music Program in 2024.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Philadelphia.
“It may sound surprising, but people from my hometown often tried to convince me not to join, but I’m determined to follow my own path and make the decision that feels right for my future,” QuinteroSmith said.
QuinteroSmith joined the Navy one year ago. Today, QuinteroSmith serves as an undesignated sailor in the Airman Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (A/PACT) program.
“I joined the Navy to be an operator, a SEAL, or work in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD),” QuinteroSmith said.
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.”
QuinteroSmith has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is graduating from Center-Explosive Ordnance Disposal-and diving School because we started with 89 sailors and graduated with only 17,” QuinteroSmith said. I’m also proud of my attendance for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEA (BUD/S) Information Systems Technician (IT) phase.”
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Caleb Kissner, Fleet Public Affairs Center San Diego |
QuinteroSmith graduated from Girard Academic Music Program in 2024.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Philadelphia.
“It may sound surprising, but people from my hometown often tried to convince me not to join, but I’m determined to follow my own path and make the decision that feels right for my future,” QuinteroSmith said.
QuinteroSmith joined the Navy one year ago. Today, QuinteroSmith serves as an undesignated sailor in the Airman Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (A/PACT) program.
“I joined the Navy to be an operator, a SEAL, or work in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD),” QuinteroSmith said.
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.”
QuinteroSmith has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is graduating from Center-Explosive Ordnance Disposal-and diving School because we started with 89 sailors and graduated with only 17,” QuinteroSmith said. I’m also proud of my attendance for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEA (BUD/S) Information Systems Technician (IT) phase.”
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 means giving everything to save a life to include the lives of my fellow shipmates,” QuinteroSmith said.
QuinteroSmith is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank Explosive Ordnance Disposal Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Mcler and Commander Almon, retired SEAL,” QuinteroSmith said. “I didn’t really have a father figure in my life, but EOD1 Mcler and CMDR Almon saved me from quitting and helped me get through the tough parts. It also gave me motivation to keep pushing and shape the kind of person I want to become in the future.”