SAN DIEGO - Seaman Rafael Padro, from Carolina, Puerto Rico, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, at Naval Air Station North Island, California.
Padro graduated from Escuela Superior Dr. Jose M. Lazaro in 2017.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Carolina.
“Growing up, I wanted to be a better person and make better decisions,” Padro said. “In the Navy, we have to make good decisions everyday.”
Padro joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Padro serves as a logistics specialist.
“I wanted to be in the military and I knew it was a good time for me to join,” Padro said. “My wife’s brother is in the Navy and he talked to me about it.”
The “Eightballers” of HSC-8 fly and maintain the MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s versatile and most advanced rotary wing maritime platform. Their missions include airborne mine countermeasures, combat search and rescue, anti-surface warfare, combat logistics and medevac.
Padro has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of finishing boot camp and ‘A’ school,” Padro 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
“The Navy means everything to me,” Padro said. “It provides stability for me.”
Padro is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I’m grateful for my wife, always,” Padro said.
Padro graduated from Escuela Superior Dr. Jose M. Lazaro in 2017.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Carolina.
“Growing up, I wanted to be a better person and make better decisions,” Padro said. “In the Navy, we have to make good decisions everyday.”
Padro joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Padro serves as a logistics specialist.
“I wanted to be in the military and I knew it was a good time for me to join,” Padro said. “My wife’s brother is in the Navy and he talked to me about it.”
The “Eightballers” of HSC-8 fly and maintain the MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s versatile and most advanced rotary wing maritime platform. Their missions include airborne mine countermeasures, combat search and rescue, anti-surface warfare, combat logistics and medevac.
Padro has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of finishing boot camp and ‘A’ school,” Padro 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
“The Navy means everything to me,” Padro said. “It provides stability for me.”
Padro is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I’m grateful for my wife, always,” Padro said.