Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adriones Johnson
NORFOLK, Va. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Jossue Garcia, a native of Suitland, Maryland, serves aboard USS Gerald R. Ford, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.
Garcia graduated from Montgomery Blair High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Suitland.
“I learned to be responsible at a young age and that has helped me in the Navy,” said Garcia. “My parents were strict with me but kind, and I have them to thank for my success.”
Garcia joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Garcia serves as an aviation boatswain’s mate equipment.
“I wanted to leave home, become a responsible adult, and make it on my own,” said Garcia. “I have my own home now and it feels great.”
The crew recently completed an eight-month deployment, which was the first deployment for the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier.
The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was extended 76 days following the outbreak of conflict in Israel and operated in the Mediterranean Sea to deter further escalation and support Israel in its right to self-defense.
While in the Mediterranean, the carrier strike group participated in and supported numerous multinational exercises and vigilance activities to increase NATO capability and deter aggression in the region. The carrier visited ports in Croatia, Greece, Italy, Norway and Turkey. Other ships in the strike group visited Belgium, Cyprus, Montenegro, Spain, and Sweden.
“The Gerald R. Ford is everything our nation hoped it would be, and more. I am so proud of the crew, who breathed life into the world’s most technologically advanced warship and stood the watch in defense of our national interests,” said Capt. Rick Burgess, Gerald R. Ford’s commanding officer. “Though extended, we were the right ship at the right time to answer the call, and our sailors performed admirably. Ford sailors honored our namesake’s legacies of hard work, integrity, and courage.”
In 239 days underway, the ship’s crew conducted 43 underway replenishments, logged more than 17,826 flight hours and 10,396 sorties, sailed more than 83,476 nautical miles, and safely transferred 20.7 million gallons of fuel with zero mishaps. The Ford crew conducted 33,444 flight deck moves, 3,124 hangar bay aircraft moves, 2,883 aircraft elevator moves, 16,351 aircraft fueling evolutions, and transferred 8,850 pallets of cargo and mail. The Gerald R. Ford culinary team prepared and served 3.1 million meals, which included approximately 48,000 dozen eggs, 24,000 gallons of milk, 131,000 hamburgers, 367,000 pounds of chicken, and Gerald R. Ford’s favorite, 79,000 chocolate chip cookies.
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.
Garcia serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Garcia has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am proudest of earning my topside qualification,” said Garcia. “This means I can now take care of the flight deck equipment and the people who rely on it. The flight deck is a dangerous place and everything must work right.”
Garcia can take pride in serving America through military service.
“It is a great honor to serve because not everyone can do what we do,” said Garcia. “I have met a lot of great people in the Navy and we struggle together and accomplish great things through teamwork. During the deployment, we were constantly working to keep each other motivated.”
Garcia is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my aunt, Patricia Garcia, for pushing me through hard times and encouraging me in my Navy career,” added Garcia. “I know she is the person I can always count on. I want to continue to make my family proud and eventually buy a home in Maryland to be close to them.”
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