SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 3rd Class Madison Rorivio, a native of Moriarty, New Mexico, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, at Naval Air Station North Island, California.
Rorivio graduated from a home school program in 2015.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Moriarty.
“I've been working non-stop since I was 15 years old, and I've applied the same eagerness to my job here,” Rorivio said. “When I got to my first command, I applied my eagerness by getting my qualifications done as quickly as I could so I'm able to work with the helicopters and not have someone constantly over my shoulder.”
Rorivio joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Rorivio serves as an aviation electrician's mate.
“Both of my parents were Marines, my grandpas on both sides served, and my brother and sister also joined,” Rorivio said. “Living in a military household, I felt like it was my purpose to join, and I started looking at each branch and decided that the Navy was a better fit for my career choice.”
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.
Rorivio has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is being a hard, reliable worker and being able to help others when I can,” Rorivio said. “Hard work is something I've always been proud of due to my parents raising us that way. I love staying busy and doing the job that I do.”
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.
“I feel like the Navy was calling out to me,” Rorivio said. “I am proud to be able to serve my country, something I've felt was supposed to happen.”
Rorivio is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank God because I wouldn’t be here without him,” Rorivio said. “I would like to thank my family for always quietly rooting for me.”