SAN DIEGO - Seaman Christopher Vasquez, a native of Haskell, New Jersey, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Carl Vinson, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Caleb Kissner, Fleet Public Affairs Center San Diego |
Vasquez graduated from Lakeland Regional High School in 2023.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Haskell.
“I worked many jobs growing up, including in leadership and standard roles where I learned to be better at working,” Vasquez said. “I was a cashier, a pizza deliveryman and I worked at Wawa. As a boatswain’s mate, we have jobs all over the ship. Having the experience of being in charge of people, I’m able to lead people in those tasks, and instead of telling them the way it should be done, I show them. It’s helped me be a better leader.”
Vasquez joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Vasquez serves as a boatswain’s mate.
“I joined the Navy to start a career, find opportunities outside of New Jersey and travel the world,” Vasquez said. “I wasn’t really doing anything with my life. I was working a dead-end job, and I wanted to get out of the house. I had no intention of joining the Navy, but I’m grateful I did. I took a chance, and I love it. I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.”
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, 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.”
Vasquez has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of graduating at the top of my class in Boatswain’s Mate ‘A’ School,” Vasquez said. “I failed at nuclear ‘A’ school and, before that, had bad grades in primary and high school. The Navy taught me how to study. After failing so much, being able to accomplish something like that and finish at the top of my class, learning from the skills I gained, felt good.”
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 an opportunity to improve myself and work toward a better life for me and my family,” Vasquez said.
Vasquez is thankful for the mentors who helped make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank Electrician’s Mate (Nuclear Power) 1st Class Allison, one of my instructors at Nuclear Power School, for believing in me, even though I wasn’t doing well,” Vasquez said. “He wanted to see me succeed. I also want to thank Yeoman 1st Class Greene, who helped me transition from the nuclear pipeline to becoming a boatswain’s mate when I was working at the Naval Brig in Charleston, and Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Wood, my Recruit Division Commander. He’s probably the reason I’m a boatswain’s mate today. He pushed me to be a better person, to work for what I wanted and to do things I never thought I’d do.
Vasquez is also grateful for family members who have offered support.
“I want to thank my sister, Amelie,” Vasquez said. “She’s been around my whole life and has always been supportive.”