PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Seaman Karla Arias Nunez, originally from Tijuana, Mexico, 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.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Tijuana.
“The biggest lesson I brought from my hometown is that kindness is a strength,” Arias Nunez said. “Being empathetic and approachable allows me to support my team during stressful times. Even though I come from a different culture, the values of respect and friendliness I learned back home are universal, and they've been my guide throughout my service.”
Arias Nunez joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Arias Nunez serves as a personnel specialist.
“Everything I do is for my family so that's the reason why I joined the Navy,” Arias Nunez said. “I want to take care of them.”
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.
Arias Nunez has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is completing my first year in the Navy,” Arias Nunez said. “I'm proud of how much I've grown and adapted. A very special moment for me was being chosen as 'Sailor in the Spotlight' in February of this year.”
As Arias Nunez 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 means being part of something bigger than myself and giving back to the country that has given my family so much,” Arias Nunez 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.
Arias Nunez is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I'd definitely like to send a shout-out to my husband and daughter, who are my biggest motivation,” added Arias Nunez. “I also want to thank my parents, my sister, and my parents-in-law for always believing in me. A very special mention to my husband's cousin, Raquel, who is also serving in the Navy and I'm proud to follow in her footsteps.”
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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.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Tijuana.
“The biggest lesson I brought from my hometown is that kindness is a strength,” Arias Nunez said. “Being empathetic and approachable allows me to support my team during stressful times. Even though I come from a different culture, the values of respect and friendliness I learned back home are universal, and they've been my guide throughout my service.”
Arias Nunez joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Arias Nunez serves as a personnel specialist.
“Everything I do is for my family so that's the reason why I joined the Navy,” Arias Nunez said. “I want to take care of them.”
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.
Arias Nunez has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is completing my first year in the Navy,” Arias Nunez said. “I'm proud of how much I've grown and adapted. A very special moment for me was being chosen as 'Sailor in the Spotlight' in February of this year.”
As Arias Nunez 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 means being part of something bigger than myself and giving back to the country that has given my family so much,” Arias Nunez 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.
Arias Nunez is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I'd definitely like to send a shout-out to my husband and daughter, who are my biggest motivation,” added Arias Nunez. “I also want to thank my parents, my sister, and my parents-in-law for always believing in me. A very special mention to my husband's cousin, Raquel, who is also serving in the Navy and I'm proud to follow in her footsteps.”