Coral Springs Native Supports a 123-year Tradition of Service Under the Sea
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Waite, Navy Office of Community Outreach
PEARL HARBOR – Submariners make up only 10 percent of the U.S. Navy’s personnel, but they play a critical role in carrying out one of the Defense Department’s most important missions: strategic deterrence. Petty Officer 1st Class Victoria Dennis, a native of Coral Springs, Florida, is one of the sailors supporting a 123-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Dennis joined the Navy seven years ago and today serves as a legalman at Submarine Readiness Squadron 33.
“I was inspired to join the Navy because of all the benefits it had to offer,” said Dennis. “It presented a chance at real-world experiences that I can take with me after I leave the Navy.”
Dennis attended Fort Lauderdale High School and graduated in 2016.
Skills and values similar to those found in Coral Springs are similar to those required to succeed in the military.
“My hometown taught me to do everything to the best of my ability and to always take advantage of any opportunity I can,” said Dennis. “Doing my best opens up more opportunities and accepting more opportunities allows me to showcase my best efforts. I’m able to stand out among my peers and my supervisors recognize my drive and motivation.”
These lessons have helped Dennis while serving in the Navy.
Known as America’s “Apex Predators!,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and guided-missile submarines (SSGN).
Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. The Virginia-class SSN is the most advanced submarine in the world today. It combines stealth and payload capability to meet Combatant Commanders’ demands in this era of strategic competition.
The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. SSBNs are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles. The Columbia-class SSBN will be the largest, most capable, and most advanced submarine produced by the U.S. – replacing the current Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines to ensure continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.
Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each SSGN is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.
“Our mission remains timeless – to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”
Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Dennis is part of a rich history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in defense of America and its allies.
“The Navy contributes to national defense by protecting our seas against enemies with the aid of our allies and maritime partners,” said Dennis.
With 90 percent 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 trained sailors and a strong Navy.
Dennis and the sailors they serve have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“At this point in my career, I’m most proud of being awarded Junior Sailor of the Year at my current command,” said Dennis. “Being a go-getter served me well because I performed my daily tasks and was able to take on five extra collateral duties to set myself up for success.”
As Dennis and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means that I have the opportunity to create a better life for my family and hopefully leave a mark for future generations,” said Dennis. “I have the ability to create a standard for younger generations to follow to continue improving the Navy. Deciding to join the Nav was unexpected at the time but I would not change that decision because of the opportunities I’ve been afforded since and the personal growth I’ve gone through as a result.”
Dennis is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible. “I would like to thank my leaders, family and friends for always keeping me grounded, for encouraging me and for pushing me to reach my full potential,” added Dennis.
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Davie native serves at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel, Navy Office of Community Outreach
PEARL HARBOR – Petty Officer 1st Class Alex Marron Diaz, a native of Davie, Florida, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam operating out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Marron Diaz joined the Navy 14 years ago. Today, Marron Diaz serves as a master-at-arms.
Growing up in Davie, Marron Diaz attended Western High School and graduated in 2008. Today, Marron Diaz relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Davie to succeed in the military.
“Growing up I learned to persevere by any means, to never give up and to be grateful with what I had, no matter how little it was,” said Marron Diaz. “Those lessons have helped me get through tough times while serving in the Navy and while being on deployment overseas.”
These lessons have helped Marron Diaz while serving at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Being stationed in Pearl Harbor, often referred to as the gateway to the Pacific in defense circles, means Marron Diaz is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities, and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is important to national defense because we have forces deployed around the world to ensure the safety of our citizens at home and to make our adversaries think twice before they act,” said Marron Diaz.
With 90 percent 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 trained sailors and a strong Navy.
“Our mission remains timeless – to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”
Marron Diaz and the sailors they serve have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
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“My proudest Navy accomplishment so far has been graduating from Small Arms Marksmanship and Crew-Served Weapons Instructor schools,” said Marron Diaz. “Those have been the hardest schools I have completed so far because they challenged me.”
As Marron Diaz and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy is a way of giving back to my country as well as showing appreciation for what the U.S. has done for me and my family,” said Marron Diaz.
Marron Diaz is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my wife for being by my side this whole time, for motivating me when I’m down and for all of her guidance,” added Marron Diaz. “I’d like to thank my parents for instilling good values that I carry with me to this day. My dad is a self-made businessman and because of his hard work, I had everything I wanted growing up. I also want to thank Chief Zack Machon because he was with me during the hardest time in my career and he instilled in me a renewed sense of purpose in the Navy.”
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Hollywood native serves aboard U.S. Navy warship in Mayport
By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach
MAYPORT, FL — Petty Officer 2nd Class Quincy Sebastian, a native of Hollywood, Florida, is serving aboard USS Winston S. Churchill, a U.S. Navy warship, operating out of Mayport, Florida.
Sebastian, a 2019 graduate of South Broward High School, joined the Navy four years ago.
“I joined the Navy to improve myself, and to learn new skills and ways of life,” said Sebastian.
Today, Sebastian relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Hollywood to succeed in the military.
“The lessons I learned from my hometown that have stayed with me while in the Navy are to not complain and to fight things out,” said Sebastian.
These lessons have helped Sebastian while serving in the Navy.
Winston S. Churchill is a guided-missile destroyer that provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities. The destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
More than 300 sailors serve aboard Winston S. Churchill. Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.
With 90 percent 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 trained sailors and a strong Navy.
“Our mission remains timeless – to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”
Serving in the Navy means Sebastian is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.
Sebastian and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is advancing in rank to petty officer second class,” said Sebastian. “I thought it was impossible because I was around people who were eight-year third classes and I made it in three years. It’s hard advancing in rank as a culinary specialist in only three years.”
As Sebastian and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means to me what it should mean to anyone serving, and that’s being the best you can possibly be,” said Sebastian.
Sebastian is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my stepfather, Dwain Stevens, who encouraged me to join and my mother, Adina Stevens, for her love and support,” said Sebastian. “I would also like to thank Chief Amanda Smith serving on board Winston S. Churchill for her guidance and support in everything that I do.”
“I am going to be a recruit division commander at Great Lakes, Illinois, to lead future sailors in the making and advance to chief petty officer while I am there,” added Sebastian.
Posted four weeks ago by Navy Office Of Community Outreach
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