SAN DIEGO - Seaman Apprentice Tristan Farnam, a native of Murrieta, California, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Makin Island, an amphibious assault ship operating out of San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Rollo, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Farnam graduated from Murrieta Valley High School in 2025.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Murrieta.
“Growing up in my hometown, there were a lot of opportunities to find what I enjoy,” Farnam said. “Growing up in California, where everything’s expensive, if you want to be able to live here, you have to make sure you have a good career. My parents had good careers and made good money to support our family. I saw that and knew I would need to have a good career. My father works hard and is a good role model.”
Farnam joined the Navy nine months ago. Today, Farnam serves as a mass communication specialist.
“I joined the Navy because I saw one of my older brothers with a wife and a good, stable career in the Navy, while my other older brother had a hard time,” Farnam said. “My brother, Caleb, is a gas turbine system mechanic aboard this ship. I felt like a career in the military would put me on the right track with benefits and a stable career. I just wanted something to help discipline me and help me be more active. I also wanted to see the world.”
Makin Island plays a crucial role in projecting power and maintaining presence for naval forces. It serves as the cornerstone of amphibious operations, capable of carrying Marines, their equipment and aircraft to execute a wide range of missions, from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to full-scale amphibious assaults.
This ship enables forces to rapidly deploy and sustain operations in littoral (near-shore) environments, providing a versatile platform for achieving strategic objectives across the globe. Resembling a small aircraft carrier, Makin Island’s crew is made up of approximately 1,200 officers and enlisted personnel and can accommodate up to 1,800 Marines.
Farnam has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am proud of the compliments I received from my previous leadership and also being nominated for the Bobby McRill Excellence Award when I was at ‘A’ school,” Farnam said. “Students are nominated for the award by instructors at Defense Information School. It’s a good thing to be nominated for because it means you represent the leadership ability and the qualities he had. Even though I didn’t win, being nominated for it is something I’m proud of. I didn’t think I deserved it, but my leadership praised me. They said they saw something in me that represented him. That they said good things about me made me happy and proud of what I accomplished.”
The Bobby McRill Excellence Award is named for the late Petty Officer 1st Class Bobby McRill, a mass communication specialist who was killed in action in Iraq in 2007. The award is given to a sailor who exemplifies Navy core values and demonstrates leadership and technical ability during the Basic Mass Communication Specialist Course.
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 has helped me learn discipline and hard work, while also doing a good deed,” Farnam said.
Farnam is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my dad, Scott, and mom, Haley, because they always say how proud they are of me when we talk,” Farnam said. “It makes me feel good about what I’m doing. I’d also like to thank my brother, Gas Turbine System (Mechanical) 1st Class Caleb Barkle, for showing me the ropes. He always answers my questions, and he showed me how to do things when I first got here. He inspires me. He works really hard and has advanced quickly. Seeing what he’s accomplished because of his hard work makes me want to work harder than him.”