SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 3rd Class Jose Carrillo, a native of Eastvale, California, 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 |
Carrillo graduated from Eleanor Roosevelt High School in 2023.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Eastvale.
“Growing up, I've played baseball my whole life and traveled to different areas with different people,” Carrillo said. “I would say that made me have a good work ethic and be a team player with everyone I come across.”
Carrillo joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Carrillo serves as a logistics specialist.
“I was inspired to join the Navy as a stepping stone to start my journey and being able to experience new things,” Carrillo said. “I also want to be able to get a government contractor or maintenance job when I get out.”
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.”
Carrillo has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is getting meritoriously advanced from E-1 to E-4,” Carrillo said. “Being able to do so within a short amount of time as I was transitioning out of my last command has really shown me that hard work does pay off.”
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 means a lot to me, because I do my best to represent my name on my uniform, and to make my family proud doing so,” Carrillo said.
Carrillo is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my girlfriend, Charlotte Salazar,” Carrillo said. “We've been together for 10 years, and seen each other grow. She has been there for me and supported me throughout my career.”